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“ ‘ LOOK HERE, KID, I DON’t WANT TO BE HARD ON YOU.’ ” 

{^See page 22b) 


LARRY HUDSON’S 
AMBITION 

/ 

BY 

JAMES OTIS 


5llt»tratett bg 
ELIOT KEEN 



,’,>>> > >. 
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>)>, 

BOSTON 

L. C. PAGE COMPANY 
1901 


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THE HB«ARV OF 
CONGRESS, 
Two Coficui Received 


AUG. 26 1901 


lOPVRiOHT entry 


CLASS C^XXo. N». 






e^xxo. 


/5^5fS 


COPY a 


Copyright, igoi 

By L. C. Page & Company 

(incorporated) 

Ait rights reserved 



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(IToIonfal 

Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co. 
Boston. Mass.. U. S. A. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. 

Anticipation . 

• 

• 

• 

• 


PAGE 

I I 

II. 

In the City . 

. 

• 

• 

• 


29 

III. 

An Expensive Experiment 


• 

• 


50 

IV. 

A Disagreeable Encounter 

• 

• 


69 

V. 

A Friend in Need 


• 

• 

• 


86 

VI. 

“ Mr. Folsom ” 

• 

• 

• 

• 


107 

VII. 

At Herdsdale 

• 

• 

• 

• 


129 

VIII. 

The “ Green Hand ” 

• 

• 

• 

• 


151 

IX. 

Unwelcome Visitors 

• 

• 

• 

• 


170 

X. 

Slick Jake 

• 

• 

• 

• 


189 

XI. 

A Proposition 

• 

• 

• 



209 

XII. 

The Scheme . 

• 

o 

• 

• 


229 

XIII. 

Larry’s Reward . 

• 

• 

• 

• 


248 


4 




I 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

“ ‘ Look here, kid, I don’t want to be hard on 

YOU . . . . . . . Frontispiece 

“Joe and Ned suddenly ceased work” . . 14 

“ The city boys were in high glee ” . . .82 

“ Aunt Mercy was still trying to pacify the 

deacon” 122 

“ The boy raised the poker high in the air ” . 202 

“ ‘ I don’t claim that I’ve been so terrible 

> 


GOOD 


248 . 


LARRY HUDSON’S AMBITION. 


CHAPTER I. 

ANTICIPATION. 

Deacon Eli Doak, owner of the Herdsdale farm, 
was not a hard taskmaster, so the neighbouring 
farmers declared ; but his son Joe and his nephew 
Ned Clark were wont to grumble not a little because 
he insisted that during the six working days of the 
week no time should be spent in idleness, save the 
thirty minutes allowed for nooning.” 

Very often each day during the springtime did 
Joe Doak gaze with pardonable pride at his father’s 
well-tilled acres, and mentally compare them with 
others in the immediate vicinity. Although quite 
positive that when the time came for him to choose 
a vocation in life, it would not be that of a farmer, 
he derived no slight amount of pleasure in viewing 


II 


12 


LARRY HUDSON^S AMBITION. 


the broad fields of brown earth closely striped by 
rows of green, laid out with almost mathematical 
precision. He delighted in surveying the evidences 
of his father’s skill as a husbandman ; yet at the 
same time there were rebellious thoughts in his mind 
when he was called upon to thin out, weed, or other- 
wise care for those lines of green which nodded as if 
with delight to the cooling breezes. 

“I reckon there’s no question about Herdsdale 
bein’ the best farm in this county ; but jest wait till 
I’ve had a chance to choose for myself, and then see 
how long I’ll stay ’round here weedin’ an’ hoein’, 
when money can be earned so much easier in the 
city,” Master Doak often said to his cousin Ned, 
who had been counted as a member of the Doak 
family since the death of his mother, the deacon’s 
sister. 

And Ned Clark, wiping the perspiration from his 
freckled nose, would look up from the back-aching 
task of weeding, to say meekly : 

“I allow there’s a heap of worse places in this 
world than Herdsdale ; but I don’t reckon any two 
boys have to work harder than you an’ me. I wish 


ANTICIPA TION. 1 3 

I could go to the city for just one day ! I’d find as 
good a chance to earn money as Sam Bartlett did, or 
know the reason why.” 

Sam was mighty lucky,” 

I don’t know as you’d call it luck, ’cause he had 
his eyes open all the time for jest sich a job.” 

“ An’ so have you an’ I, only we can’t get into the 
city. Father don’t trust us with his business as Mr. 
Bartlett did Sam. Why, that fellow must be makin’ 
as much as three or four dollars every week of his 
life ! ” 

‘*He’s doin’ all of that, an’ the day’s bound to 
come when I’ll have as good a show. I don’t reckon 
on always bein’ a farmer.” 

It was as if the boys would never tire of discussing 
Sam Bartlett’s extraordinarily good fortune, and the 
possibility of their being able to follow the example 
set by him, although it seemed very remote, for Joe’s 
father was not a man who believed that the members 
of his household might really need a holiday. 

Perhaps next year we’ll get a little forehanded 
with our work, an’ then you can go fishin’, or I’ll 
take you to town-meetin’,” the deacon would say 


14 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


when his son or nephew approached him on the 
subject of a day’s pleasuring ; but until this particular 
season the industrious farmer had, apparently, never 
seen a time when he could afford to be thus 
generous. 

Therefore it was that the boys were astonished 
almost to the verge of bewilderment when, on an 
exceedingly warm day in June, while they were 
hoeing potatoes in the lower meadow. Deacon Doak 
said, abruptly, but without ceasing to ply the hoe 
industriously : 

“ I reckon the time has come when I feel sort of 
obleeged to keep the promise I’ve made you boys.” 

Joe and Ned suddenly ceased work to look at the 
speaker. 

“ Keep movin’ them hoes, boys. There’s no reason 
why you can’t work an’ talk at the same time. If 
you feel called upon to stand there like a couple of 
graven images jest because I’ve begun to figger on 
takin’ you to the city, why we’ll drop the matter till 
after sundown.” 

This threat was sufficient to arouse the boys to 
renewed activity, and they resumed their labour with 



“ JOE AND NED SUDDENLY CEASED WORK 


>5 



ANTIC/PA TION. 1 5 

feverish energy lest the deacon should fail to con- 
tinue what promised to be a marvellously interesting 
conversation. 

“Your mother,” — the deacon always included 
Ned when he used the term “mother,” — “your 
mother, she allows that all hands of us would be the 
better for a little pleasurin’, an’ I ain’t /r^pared to 
say she’s wrong, though it’ll cost a powerful sight 
of money. Besides, all play an’ no work is a good 
deal worse than when its t’other way about.” 

“But where are we goin’, father?” Joe inter- 
rupted, so eager to learn where this long-deferred 
holiday was to be spent that he could not wait until 
his father was ready to explain in his own fashion. 

“ If it so be that we can get the chores done up 
ahead, an’ Ezra Littlefield’s folks are willin’ to have 
an eye out for the cattle, seein’s how all our men 
will be away. I’ve figgered that we’d spend the 
Fourth of July in the city. I knowed you’d be 
surprised,” he added, as the boys, forgetting the 
implied threat made a moment previous, gazed at 
him in mute but joyful astonishment, “an’ I ain’t 
//spared to say that it won’t be a foolish thing to 


1 6 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION, 

do ; but your mother puts it after her fashion by 
sayin’ that she hasn’t been off the farm since Maria 
Boyd’s funeral, an’ that’s nigh on to eight years ago. 
She says she’s pinin’ for a change. I did some think 
of sendin’ her an’ Ellen down to town alone ; but the 
more I turned it over in my mind, the more certain 
I was that they couldn’t be depended upon to take 
care of themselves. It’s a powerful big place. New 
York is, to say nothin’ of the money the trip will cost, 
an’ there’s too many rowdies an’ swindlers hangin’ 
’round after a chance to get the best of country 
people, for me to think of their meanderin’ down 
there alone. I’ve made up my mind to take the 
whole family, though, as I said before, it’s goin’ 
to be dreadful expensive.” 

‘‘ And are we to go to New York to stay a whole 
day, father ? ” 

“That’s what I’ve counted on if we can get the 
chores done up in time, an’ Ezra Littlefield’s folks 
will look out for the cattle. We’ll take the first 
train, an’ come home on the last, which don’t leave 
there till nigh on to seven o’clock. Seein’s the 
Fourth comes on a Saturday, we shall have all of 


ANTICIPA TION. 1 7 

Sunday to rest up in, so I allow we can stand that 
much of a strain. You’ll find it’s’a good deal harder 
work traipsin’ ’round the city in the hot sun, than 
hoein’ potatoes out here, even though you may not 
be willin’ to say so.” 

I’d like to do that kind of work every day in the 
year,” Ned said, emphatically. 

“Yes, an’ you’d need to have a whole bank right 
at your back in order to do it. But there must be 
a powerful sight of chores done ’twixt now an’ then, 
an’ standin’ still lookin’ at me ain’t the way to get 
through with ’em.” 

Then the deacon attacked the weeds yet more 
vigorously with his hoe, and the boys, determined 
to earn this unexpected holiday, followed his exam- 
ple with the utmost vigour, but all the while burning 
with the most intense desire to discuss the possibili- 
ties of an entire day spent in the city. 

Owing to the fact that the deacon stayed in the 
lower meadow during the remainder of the afternoon, 
urging them from time to time to renewed exertions, 
and now and then hinting that it might become nec- 
essary to defer the excursion in case they failed to 


1 8 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

<‘get ahead with their work,” the boys did not have 
an opportunity of holding a private conversation until 
the evening’s devotions had come to an end, and they 
were in the privacy of their own chamber. 

Almost immediately after Mrs. Doak had, follow- 
ing her usual custom, kissed them good night, with 
a whispered “God love you,” and departed noise- 
lessly, as if thinking they had already journeyed 
into Dreamland, Joe sat upright in bed. 

“It seems too good to be true! I didn’t dare 
even to speak about it this afternoon, ’cause father 
believes it’s goin’ to cost so much that I’m ’fraid 
he may give the whole thing up if he can find any 
excuse for not goin’. But only think of it, Ned I 
We’ll have the same chance Sam Bartlett had, an’ 
perhaps a good deal better one, for he didn’t get 
there ’till most ten o’clock, while the first train must 
pull up in New York by seven, at the very latest. 
Three hours ought to be enough for us to see all 
that’s goin’ on, an’ then we’ll look around, the same 
as Sam did. S’posin’ both of us should strike a 
job at a dollar a day.^ Don’t you reckon we’d go 
there to live t Well, I guess not ! ” 


ANTICIFA TION. 1 9 

Fully a moment elapsed before Ned made any 
reply, and then it was to say : 

“It would be mighty fine, livin’ in the city earnin’ 
plenty of money; but it’ll be hard to find as good 
a home as Herdsdale, Joe. We’d kind of miss Aunt 
Mercy’s good-night kiss, an’ when the night came 
that she didn’t whisper ‘God love you’ over me, 
I wouldn’t feel half as safe as I do now.” 

“ I guess if we was makin’ money we could come 
back often enough. Why, it only costs eighty-five 
cents for a ticket from here to New York, an’ jest 
as likely as not we should be home every Saturday 
night.” 

“That wouldn’t be so bad,” Ned replied, 
thoughtfully. “I’d rather work in a store than on 
a farm any day ; but we’ve got to see all the 
Fourth of July business before we go’ round lookin’ 
for a job.” 

“I’ve thought that out in great shape. Three 
hours will be plenty of time for us to see the city, 
an’ if it ain’t, why, I reckon we would get ’round 
among all the stores in one afternoon. Say, do you 
s’pose father will give us any money } ” 


20 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION, 


“ I don’t reckon so after what he said about the 
expense. You see he’s got to pay the fares for Aunt 
Mercy an’ Nell an’ you an’ me, an’ it’ll cost a heap. 
It’s the first time I’ve ever had a chance to stay all 
day in the city, an’ if I want to I’m goin’ to spend 
the whole of my sixteen cents. That ought to be 
enough for anybody, an’ it won’t be jest fair in us to 
ask Uncle Eli for more.” 

I’ve got twenty-three.” 

“ I know it ; but perhaps I can make up them 
seven cents between now an’ Saturday momin’. 
There’s four whole days before — ” 

If you don’t. I’ll even things so we’ll have jest 
alike. There’s one thing we must do, an’ that’s to 
find out where Sam Bartlett is workin’, so’s we can 
go to see him. I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Be- 
sides, he would be likely to tell us of the people who 
want to hire fellows from the country.” 

It was a late hour before slumber visited the boys’ 
eyelids, so many and so varied were the plans they 
formed in connection with the proposed excursion. 
Both were fully determined upon obtaining a situation 
in the city as Sam Bartlett had done, and neither 


ANTICIPATIOAT. 


21 


had the lightest shadow of a doubt but that such a 
position as^he desired could readily be found. 

If there was any bitterness in the sweets of their 
anticipations, it arose from the thought that they 
might not be quite so comfortably situated in the 
way of a home in the city, as at Herdsdale ; but that 
was a minor consideration, and dismissed from their 
minds with no misgivings. 

Perhaps never before had the two boys risen so 
early as on the morning following Deacon Doak’s 
announcement that his family were to celebrate the 
Fourth of July in New York, and the good man said 
to his wife, with a chuckle of satisfaction, as the boys 
set about doing their chores without waiting to be 
bidden : 

“ I guess, mother, it ain’t sich a bad idee to give 
the young folks an outin’ this year. Them young- 
sters are bound to do double work ’twixt now an’ 
Saturday mornin’, which will go a long way toward 
makin’ up for the day we’re to spend in idleness.” 

‘‘ It does me good to ,'see them so happy, father. 
You’re not what might be called a hard man with 
your help ; but you don’t seem to remember that boys 


22 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


need a day’s pleasurin’ now an’ then to keep them 
up to their work.” 

ain’t so certain about that, mother. I never 
had it when I was young. It was day in an’ day out 
the same old story, an’ well for me, else we mightn’t 
have been so comfortably situated in our old age.” 

“ You surely had a rest now an’ then ? ” 

“One day in seven, mother, one day in seven, 
with perhaps now an’ then an extra hour or two when 
work was slack.” 

“ Josey an’ Ned are twelve years old, an’ since they 
were big enough to lend a hand on the farm this will 
be the first real holiday they have had,” Aunt Mercy 
said, without the slightest tinge of reproach in her 
tones, as she plunged her arm elbow-deep into the 
cheese-curd. 

The deacon made no reply to this, but before the 
day was ended he gave each of the boys ten cents, 
as he said : 

“ I’m willin’ you should spend a little money fool- 
ishly once in awhile, with the hope that after it is 
gone you’ll realise how easy it can slip through your 
fingers, an’ what a poor showin’ you get for it. 


ANTICIPA TION. 


23 


Squander this if you like, but remember that you’ll 
feel a good deal better next Christmas if its hoarded 
up agin a rainy day.” 

‘‘An’ then perhaps when Christmas came you’d 
think we’d ba wiser to wait till the next Fourth of 
July,” Joe suggested, as he tied the money carefully 
in one corner of his handkerchief. 

“Well, so I allow you would be, my son. So 
long as you don’t spend money you’ll always have a 
little in your pocket ; but once it’s squandered, there’s 
the end of it.” 

“ But then we never should have any good times 
until we got too old to enjoy them.” 

“ I ain’t goin’ to say a word agin your spendin’ the 
whole of it. That’s what I gave it to you for ; but 
at the same time, Joseph, I’m cautionin’ you that 
when it’s spent, it’s gone, an’ you won’t see it any 
more, whereas, so long as it’s in your pocket, it’s 
always ready for a rainy day. You’ll never be so 
old that the value even of a ten-cent piece won’t be 
of some account to you. Now I ain’t intendin’ to 
preach economy agin till after we’ve been to the city, 
’cause that is to be a day when I want you to do jest 


24 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


what pleases you best, an’ I hope all hands may 
have a good time. You will, if it’s in my power 
to give it to you.” 

The boys thanked the deacon as warmly as the 
magnitude of the gift seemed to demand, and were 
then reminded that this was no time to be loafin’ if 
they expected to go to the city next Saturday.” 

Deacon Doak was right in predicting that Joe and 
Ned would perform double their ordinary amount of 
work during the days which intervened before the 
Fourth of July. They were among the first astir in 
the morning, and the last to leave the fields at night ; 
but this industry did not prevent them from making 
many unnecessary preparations for the wonderful 
journey. 

One evening was spent in visiting the Bartlett 
farm in order to obtain Sam’s address ; the others 
were devoted to greasing their boots, brushing their 
clothing, and making ready generally for what 
seemed to them an exceedingly long journey, and 
then the eve of the Fourth of July had come. 

Mr. Doak was in quite as high a state of excite- 
ment as the other members of the family. Ezra 


ANTICIPA TWIST. 2 5 

Littlefield had promised to care for the cattle, and 
although the deacon had every reason to feel posi- 
tive his herds would not be neglected, he took 
many unnecessary precautions against a possible 
accident. 

Mrs. Doak had little or no time in which to 
indulge in nervousness. She seemed to think it 
necessary to set her house in order with the most 
scrupulous exactness, and on this evening her house- 
hold duties were not finished until long past the 
usual time for retiring. 

Little Nell, Joe’s sister, darted here and there like 
a busy sparrow, now aiding her mother, and again 
discussing with her brother and cousin the especial 
points of interest in New York which she wished to 
visit. 

“We’re all going to Central Park in the after- 
noon,” she announced, “and mother says we’d better 
stay right there till it is time to go to the depot.” 

“ I’d like to see the park,” Joe replied, with a long- 
drawn sigh; “but I’m afraid it can’t be done this 
trip. Perhaps I’ll have plenty of time later.” 

“ Why can’t you go to-morrow 1 ” 


26 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


Joe had not proposed to make public his intention 
of seeking employment in the city ; but now he was 
forced to do so in order to answer his sister’s ques- 
tion, and the announcement of his determination 
caused no slight consternation in the busy house- 
hold. 

Mrs. Doak at first protested that he should not 
think of doing anything of the kind ; that it was 
more than foolish for him to want to live in the 
city ; but suddenly, and, as it seemed to Joe, just 
at the moment when the discussion was most inter- 
esting, she waived all her objections by saying : 

“Very well, Joseph, if you want to leave the farm 
I won’t say anything against it. Perhaps you are 
none too young to choose for yourself, an’ I’m not 
goin’ to dictate as to what shall be done to-morrow, 
when we are to enjoy the day as each pleases.” 

The deacon would have taken up the subject at 
this point, but it appeared very much as if a warning 
look from his wife had prevented him from giving 
words to that which was in his mind, and he re- 
mained silent, while Joe and Ned were considerably 
disappointed because the announcement of their 


ANTICIFA TION, 2 J 

intention to leave the farm had not caused more 
sorrow. 

Five minutes later this matter was temporarily lost 
sight of as the deacon explained how he thought the 
day should be spent, arguing that he could best 
direct the movements of the family because of his 
familiarity with the city ; but reiterating that each 
member should act according to the dictates of in- 
clination or fancy, being restricted only so far as 
concerned the departure of the last train for Canton. 

Then came the evening devotions, when the good 
man prayed fervently that each might be guided 
aright while exposed to the temptations of a great 
city, and ten minutes later Mrs. Doak had kissed the 
boys good night, whispering the God love you ” 
which, to Ned at least, gave such a sense of security 
for the future. 

The boys should have closed their eyes in slumber 
immediately Mrs. Doak left them, for it had been 
arranged that the family would be awakened at four 
o’clock on the following morning, and it was now 
fully an hour past their usual time for retiring. 

Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to 


28 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


rest, however, Joe and Ned indulged in anticipations 
of the visit for at least the hundredth time, or 
speculated upon the good fortune which would 
probably be theirs before another day had come to 
an end, ceasing not their conversation until a late 
hour, when nature finally asserted herself, and they 
journeyed into Dreamland, there to gaze at the 
wildest pictures of life in a city that the busy elves 
had, perhaps, ever painted for country boys. 


CHAPTER II. 


IN THE CITY. 

Deacon Doak taught the members of his house- 
hold to rise before the sun did, in order that every 
moment should be utilised after the day had really 
begun, and it was his custom to make certain no 
one played the laggard. 

On this particular Fourth of July morning, how- 
ever, there was no necessity for him to call either 
Joe or Ned. It was not yet three o’clock when the 
former, whose rest had been disturbed owing to the 
excitement caused by undue anticipation of the holi- 
day, suddenly awakened, and there was no desire in 
his mind to linger in bed. 

Although the train did not leave Canton station 
for the city until half-past five, and the boys had 
made all their preparations for the journey on the 
previous evening, it seemed to Joe as if there 
was but scant time in which to make ready for 


29 


30 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


departure, and he aroused his cousin by shouting, 
nervously : 

‘‘ Get up, Ned ! Get up ! We’ll be sure to miss 
the train if you don’t hurry ! ” 

“But it isn’t daylight yet,” and Master Clark 
opened his eyes sleepily. 

“It soon will be. The sky in the east is gray 
already, and I can hear father stirring around down- 
stairs. If we should be only so much as a minute 
behindhand, I expect he would go off and leave us, 
because he says the general run of boys need a 
lesson on punctuality now and then.” 

It was needless for Joe to continue his arguments 
in favour of immediate rising ; by this time his cousin 
was fully awake to the fact that this was the day on 
which they were to witness the Fourth of July cele- 
bration in the city, and Joe had not yet ceased speak- 
ing before Ned was out of bed, dressing himself with 
nervous haste. 

“ It’s kinder strange that on the average mornin’ 
I’m obleeged to call you three or four times 
before you show any sign of life,” Deacon Doak 
said, without pausing in his task of blowing the fire. 


IN THE CITY. 31 

as the boys came down-stairs. When the potatoes 
are to be hoed, or the garden patch weeded, it’s 
as if you youngsters were reg’larly tied down under 
the bedclothes ; but talk of a good time, an’ you can 
turn out early enough.” 

‘‘There’s a big difference between goin’ into the 
city to stay a whole day, an’ hoein’ potatoes,” Joe 
replied, cheerily. “ Perhaps if we should turn out 
two or three mornin’s for the same reason, we might 
get into the habit of doin’ it.” 

“ Perhaps I could work you into the way of doin’ 
sich things cheaper by cuttin’ a stout birch rod. 
I don’t allow you boys realise how much this day’s 
business is likely to cost me.” 

“But you’ll have jest as much fun as we shall, 
father.” 

“ Do you s’pose Pd traipse way down to the 
city, to say nothin’ of spendin’ all the money it 
costs, jest for a good time ? ” and the deacon 
paused in his labours to look at Joe reproach- 
fully. “ If it wasn’t for takin’ care of mother 
an’ you children I wouldn’t think of leavin’ the 
farm.” 


32 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

“But you’re certain to have a good time, never 
mind why you go,” Joe persisted. 

“My mind ain’t sot on sich things so much as 
your’n is, Joseph, an’ I’ll venture to say you don’t 
take your love of gaddin’ ’round from your father’s 
side of the family. Howsomever, we’re goin’ to the 
city, cost what it may, an’ I don’t see any reason 
why you boys shouldn’t be hustlin’ ’round, doin’ 
what you can to help me an’ your mother, instead 
of standin’ there as if you’d nothin’ in the world to 
do but climb into the wagon when we’re ready to 
start for the depot.” 

Both Ned and Joe understood that the deacon 
had awakened in an unpleasant frame of mind, 
probably caused by thoughts of how much money 
it would be necessary for him to spend before night- 
fall, and, lest he should yet reconsider his intention 
of giving them a holiday, they bustled around as 
actively as he could have desired. 

The distance from the farm to the station was 
less than half a mile ; yet Major, the superannuated 
plough-horse, was standing before the door, har- 
nessed to the double-seated wagon, at five o’clock. 


IN THE CITY. 


33 


and both Mrs. Doak and Nell were occupying their 
accustomed places in the vehicle. 

‘‘The house is locked, an’ I’ve got the key in my 
pocket, father,” Mrs. Doak cried, as the deacon 
disappeared from view around the corner of the 
building. 

“I want to make sure everything’s as it should 
be,” he replied, almost sharply. “Somebody’s got 
to look after the farm if it’s to be saved from goin’ 
to rack an’ ruin.” 

“ It won’t be racked an’ ruined much ’twixt 
now an’ night,” Mrs. Doak replied, cheerily, and 
added, in a lower tone, to the children, “It does 
beat all how kind of flighty an’ out of sorts your 
father gets when there’s a dollar to be spent. He 
talked last night as if this outin’ was somethin’ he 
had flxed up ’specially for my benefit, an’ was likely 
to bring him next door to the poorhouse ; but when 
I said I’d be willin’ to stay at home, he allowed it 
wasn’t the expense he was countin’ so much as the 
wastin’ of a whole day in foolishness.” 

“If he stayed at home he couldn’t do more’n 
potter ’round, ’cause our farm work is ahead of 


34 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


everybody’s in this section, an’ he wouldn’t lose a 
dollar if we should idle away a whole week,” Joe 
said, quite decidedly, and at that moment Jethro, 
the dog, dashed around the corner of the house as 
if he had just learned the astounding news that the 
Doak family was about to set out on a long journey. 

“Now what will we do with Jeth.^” Nellie asked, 
excitedly. “ I gave him his breakfast out in the 
cow-stable, an’ hoped we should leave before he got 
through eating. Of course he can’t go to the city 
with us.” 

“ I should say not, unless you are countin’ on losin’ 
him. Ned an’ I’ll tie him in the shed.” 

“ It would be cruel to leave the poor dog shut up 
while we are enjoying ourselves. I’d almost rather 
stay at home than think of him in the shed all day.” 

“ Bless your heart, child, there’s no need of 
worryin’ about Jeth. He won’t try to come on the 
cars, but will stay with Major contentedly enough,” 
and raising her voice, Mrs. Doak cried, “ Hurry, 
father, hurry ! We haven’t any too much time if we 
count on takin’ the first train ! ” 

I allow, Mercy, that I’ve travelled enough in my 


IN THE CITY. 


35 


time not to need any lessons now. All you an’ the 
children need do is to follow my example, an’ don’t 
fret about missin’ the train till I’ve given the word,” 
the deacon replied with dignity, as he returned from 
the stable. “ I wanted to make certain the Jersey 
heifer was looked after properly, an’ seein’s how 
that’s been done we may as well jog along. Got 
everything you counted on takin’ ? ” 

We are all ready, father. I was sure of that 
before gettin’ into the wagon.” 

It seemed to Joe as if his father was bent on miss- 
ing the train, so slow were his movements. Even 
after he took his seat in the vehicle it was as 
if he restrained rather than urged Major, although 
that could hardly have been possible, for the 
old horse was by no means excitable, and seldom, 
if ever, could be induced to travel at any other 
pace than his usual steady trot, which carried him 
over the ground at the rate of perhaps three miles 
an hour. 

During the short ride Mrs. Doak and Nellie talked 
animatedly of what they expected to see ; but neither 
Joe nor Ned joined in the conversation. The pros- 


36 LAjRRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

pect of spending a day in the city, and the belief that 
once there they could find such lucrative employ- 
ment it would not be necessary for them to return to 
the farm again, save when bent on pleasure, plunged 
them into rather a serious frame of mind. 

They were aroused to more cheerfulness when it 
became necessary to make arrangements for Major’s 
comfort during such time as he was to remain in Tis- 
dale Dean’s barn, and to entrust Jethro to Will 
Dean’s keeping until the train had left the station, 
when there would no longer be any danger the dog 
might attempt to follow them. 

Then, arriving at the depot fully half an hour be- 
fore the time set for the departure of the cars, the 
boys met four or five intimate acquaintances who 
were not so fortunate as to be able to spend the 
day in the city, and both found great enjoyment 
in enumerating the many strange and wonderful 
things they would in all probability see before re- 
turning home. 

When the rumbling of the approaching train could 
be heard far away in the distance. Deacon Doak 
marshalled his family at the edge of the platform, in- 


IN THE CITY, 37 

structing them to remain in line ready to step on 
board instantly the cars came to a standstill. 

Acting upon his instructions, Joe and Ned scram- 
bled up before the passengers who wished to alight 
at Canton could descend, and, after affording others 
considerable discomfort, found, to their great satis- 
faction, three unoccupied seats. Taking possession 
of one for themselves, and reserving the others for 
the remainder of the family by depositing in them 
the bundles and wraps Aunt Mercy had thought 
necessary should be carried, the boys believed they 
had done their full duty in a proper manner. 

Ten minutes after the train left the station, the 
novelty of being in such rapid motion had lost its 
charm for Joe and Ned, and they decided it was time 
for a second meal. 

<*We had breakfast so early I guess a bite won’t 
do any of us harm,” Aunt Mercy replied, as she un- 
packed the generous store of food which had been 
prepared in order that they might not be forced to 
purchase such necessaries in the city. 

It was as if every member of the family was unu- 
sually hungry, despite the fact that they had broken 


38 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

their fast less than two hours previous, and when all 
were satisfied Mrs. Doak surveyed the remainder of 
her store with dismay. 

I s’pose I’m as bad as any of you, but it does 
beat all how that lunch has shrunk. I declare there 
isn’t enough to last us till noon, for we’ll want a 
pretty early dinner after walkin’ ’round the city.” 

“ I reckon you’ll have to make what you’ve got 
last us through the day, mother,” and the deacon 
clasped his hand tightly over the pocket in which 
was his wallet. “We can’t afford to pay any sich 
prices as city folks charge for a little somethin’ to 
eat.” 

“ I dare say we shall get along, an’ if the children 
grow hungry they can buy peanuts, which, so I’ve 
heard tell, are powerful fillin,’ ” and with this com- 
forting remark, Mrs. Doak gave herself wholly up 
to the pleasurable and unusual sensations of the 
outing. 

Joe and Ned almost forgot that this was the day 
on which they were to make such a great change in 
their condition, and, when the cars rolled into the 
enormous station at the terminus of the journey. 


IN THE CITY. 39 

there was so much to occupy their attention that 
it was as if the plan had never been decided upon. 

Deacon Doak, who believed himself thoroughly 
familiar with the city, led the way into the street, 
past the throng of noisy hackmen, and through 
groups of his fellow passengers, at a swift pace, 
much as though his well-being depended upon gain- 
ing the open air in the shortest possible space of 
time, and, once on the street, the boys stood in 
mute surprise and bewilderment. 

Everything around them was so entirely different 
from what could be seen at Herdsdale that they were 
literally unable to follow their leader, until he seized 
Joe by the coat collar, whirling him swiftly around, 
as he said, sharply : 

‘‘ Don’t stand there gapin’ as if you’d never seen 
the city before. Keep close behind me unless you 
want to be lost, for I tell you flatly that your 
mother’s day’s pleasurin’ sha’n’t be spoiled by my 
havin’ to run hither an’ yon after you two.” 

Thus admonished, the boys took good care to keep 
very near the deacon during the next half-hour ; but 
they were disappointed because he walked at such 


40 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


a rapid pace that it was impossible for them to gain 
more than an exceedingly brief glance at the shop 
windows, wherein were displayed many strange and 
curious articles. 

Down one street and up another Mr. Doak led his 
family, never allowing them to halt a single instant 
until Mrs. Doak said, breathlessly, and in an implor- 
ing tone : 

“ Do stop a minute, father, for it seems as if I 
couldn’t take another step. It appears as if you 
was huntin’ for somethin’.” 

“ Huntin ’ } Of course I am ! Do you s’pose we 
come down here for nothin’ else but to see the 
city } ” 

‘‘ We’ve passed sights enough to keep me starin’ 
all day. I’ve heard a good deal about New York ; 
but never believed it was such a dreadful big place 
as this. What more do you want, father } ” 

Want ? I come down here to show you an’ the 
children the Fourth of July celebration, but I’m 
^raid they’ve made up their minds to have the doin’ s 
Monday instead of to-day. I’ve been tryin’ to follow 
the crowd; but the folks ’round here ’pear to be 


IN THE CITY. 


41 


walkin’ hither an’ yon without knowin’ where they’re 
bound.” 

“We ought to go out to the park if we want to 
see the fun,” Joe said, with an air of exceeding 
wisdom. “That’s where Ned an’ I counted on 
findin’ the most goin’ on.” 

“There’s enough here, goodness knows,” Aunt 
Mercy replied, with a long-drawn sigh. “ It’s 
terrible hard work traipsin’ over these brick an’ 
stone sidewalks.” 

“ S’posin’ we have a ride on the elevatin’ cars ^ ” 
Joe suggested. “Sam Bartlett says we can go to the 
park on ’em, an’ I’ve always wanted to ride in the air.” 

“We can’t afford to spend money jest for the 
sake of tryin’ experiments, an’, besides, they don’t 
look any too strong to suit me. I ain’t given to 

that sort of thing at my time of life,” and the 

deacon gazed scrutinisingly at the overhead struc- 
ture. “If they’d let us ride on them cars for 

nothin’, I don’t believe I’d take the risk. It’s like 

temptin’ Providence.” 

“But they must be safe, father,” Nellie said, 
pleadingly, eager as either of the boys to ride far 


42 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION, 

above the street in the cars. ‘‘ If they wasn’t, the 
city folks wouldn’t go on them.” 

‘‘ City folks are willin’ to do a good many things 
which wouldn’t be prudent, ’cordin’ to my way of 
thinkin’. I’ve said you children should gallivant 
’round this day in any way that seemed pleasin’, an’ 
I’m not the man to break my word ; but I wouldn’t 
have said it if I’d thought there was a chance you’d 
want to climb into them things. Jest look at that 
little strap of iron ! It’s all there is to keep ’em up, 
an’ it ain’t reasonable to suppose they’ll hold any 
very great heft.” 

The children were thoroughly disappointed, and, 
seeing the expression on their faces. Aunt Mercy 
hastened to say : 

“ Your father knows what is best, an’ I do hope 
you won’t persist in travellin’ any sich way. I de- 
clare I shouldn’t have a minute’s peace of mind 
if I knew you was up there reg’larly rushin’ on to 
destruction. Stay with us till after we’ve seen the 
celebration, an’ then perhaps father will let us have 
dinner in one of the eatin’ places we’ve seen. I 
would like to taste a city meal once in my life.” 


IN THE CITY. 


43 

Deacon Doak turned as if to reprove, then checked 
himself suddenly, and said : 

‘‘It’ll be time enough to think of gluttony after 
we’ve seen the sights. Are you boys countin’ on 
stayin’ with us, or do you want to go off somewhere 
an’ lose yourselves } ” 

“Where are you goin’.?” Joe asked, careful not 
to commit himself before learning something of the 
programme laid out by his father. 

“ If there ain’t goin’ to be any show I’m willin’ to 
take all hands across the Brooklyn bridge, although 
we shall have to pay for goin’ on it. A man can’t 
turn ’round in this city without puttin’ out money.” 

“Ned an’ I counted on seein’ the bridge, an’ if 
you feel so bad ’bout the elevatin’ cars I reckon 
we’ll give up ridin’ on em’, though I did want to 
tell the fellows in Canton that we’d done it.” 

“Come along, then, an’ don’t stop in the street 
agin to talk, or folks will think we’re dreadful green,” 
and the deacon led the way once more at his best 
pace, literally dragging Aunt Mercy and Nellie on 
when they would have stopped at the more alluring 
shop windows. 


44 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


It was a devious course the deacon pursued in 
order to gain the bridge, and more than once did 
Joe or Ned, who had heard very much concerning 
the city from Sam Bartlett, suggest that he was 
making an unnecessarily long journey ; but the good 
man continued on without suffering himself to be 
turned from his purpose. 

“It may be that Sam Bartlett, a snip of a boy 
who allers claimed to know more than his elders, 
can tell me how to find my way ’round this town ; 
but he’ll never get the chance. I don’t doubt but 
what he is familiar with all the crooks an’ turns he 
oughtn’t to be, but at the same time common sense 
tells me what must be the shortest cut. We landed 
midway between the two rivers, an’ if we go to the 
east till we see the water, it’ll then be a sure an’ 
straight course up-stream till we come to the bridge.” 

The deacon would not listen to any argument 
against his plan, and the result was that the visitors 
from Herdsdale not only walked a much longer 
distance than was absolutely necessary, but passed 
through a decidedly uninteresting portion of the 
city. 


IN THE CITY. 45 

Even Joe and Ned were more than willing to 
keep close at his heels when they were on those 
streets where the press of vehicles was greatest, and 
many times did Aunt Mercy declare emphatically 
that ‘^only a merciful Providence saved them from 
being trampled to death under the feet of the 
horses.” 

“When a woman at my time of life takes to 
gallivantin’ ’round sich a bewilderin’ place as this, 
she ought to expect danger’ll follow her ; but I was 
so foolish as to think I could get along as easy 
as the city folks seem to do.” 

“ So you can, mother, so you can, so long as you 
do what I tell you. I’ve been in this town often 
enough to know my way almost as well as Sam 
Bartlett could show me, an’ you ain’t in any special 
danger while I’m with you. We must be pretty 
nigh to the bridge by this time, an’ I for one won’t 
be sorry of a chance to rest. This ’ere is harder 
work than hoein’ potatoes, an’ the worst of it is 
that we ’pear to be missin’ all the celebration.” 

“ That’s ’cause we didn’t go right up to the park,” 
Joe added, quickly. 


46 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

“Be quiet, Josey; your father knows all about it, 
an* it don’t stand to reason he’d miss anything if 
there was a free show goin’ on, more ’specially since 
he’s spent so much money to bring us here. But 
dear me. I’d be willin’ to miss everything that 
has ever happened if I could be in my own rockin’- 
chair at home for the next hour. I’m almost beat 
out.” 

“We’ll rest when we get on the bridge, mother, 
an’ then we’ll eat dinner ; I’m beginnin’ to feel 
sharkish,” and the deacon looked around expectantly 
at the packages which the different members of the 
family were carrying. 

“ There isn’t any dinner left to speak of, father. 
The children ate the most of it while we were on 
the cars, though goodness knows I thought I’d put 
up enough to keep a dozen hungry men in vittles 
for more’n one day.” 

“ Ate it all } ” the deacon cried, sharply. “ Do 
you mean to tell me that three small children have 
devoured everything ? ” 

“ There’s two or three doughnuts, an’ a piece of 
dried apple pie left; but the rest has disappeared. 


IN THE CITY. 47 

an* with it has gone five cents’ worth of peanuts 
Josey bought.” 

Then I reckon there’s one family in this town 
that’ll be hungry before nightfall, for it don’t 
stand to reason I can squander hard-earned money 
buy in’ vittles in the city,” and the deacon pushed 
ahead once more with a resolute expression on 
his face, as if he was willing to endure consider- 
able suffering rather than patronise a “city eatin’- 
house.” 

To the weary pleasure-seekers it seemed a very 
long time before the wonderful structure appeared in 
sight ; but once they were on it, midway between 
the two cities, fatigue was forgotten as they sur- 
veyed the beautiful panorama spread out before 
them. 

Clinging to the iron guards, jostled by the 
pedestrians, and affording no slight amount of 
amusement to all who saw them, the visitors from 
Herdsdale gazed in almost mute astonishment at 
everything around and beneath them, until Joe 
heard a gentleman say to his companion, as the 
two passed : 


48 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

It is nearly twelve o’clock ; we should have taken 
the cars if we cared to keep our appointment.” 

Did you hear that, Ned } Here’s the forenoon 
gone, an’ we haven’t done a thing about findin’ a 
place to work.” 

‘‘We sha’n’t have much chance if we follow 
Uncle Eli ’round.” 

“ Then we must start off by ourselves ; he said 
we could do as we wanted to this day.” 

“ Ain’t we goin’ to see the celebration ? ” 

“It don’t look like it. I counted on bein’ all 
through with that by this time, an’ we haven’t had 
dinner yet.” 

“We’ll have to buy it ourselves, I guess, ’cause 
uncle won’t spend much more money.” 

“Let’s talk to mother ’bout it,” and immediately 
Joe broached the subject in a whisper, while the 
deacon was still deeply engrossed with the wonder- 
ful scene around him. 

“ I’ll do what I can, Josey, for your father him- 
self must be hungry by this time ; but he’s dread- 
ful set about spendin’ money for things that cost 
as much as he says vittles does in the city.” 


IN THE CITY. 


49 


Then Aunt Mercy spoke in a low tone to the 
deacon, and quite an animated conversation ensued, 
after which, much to the surprise of the children. 
Deacon Doak cried, in a reckless tone : 

‘‘ We’ll risk it, seein’s Fourth of July don’t come 
but once a year ! Follow me, an’ we’ll get a reg’- 
lar city dinner, never mind what it costs ! ” 

‘‘He must be terribly hungry,” Joe whispered to 
Ned, and the two boys were very careful not to lose 
sight of their leader during the next ten minutes, 
at the end of which time he stopped in front of 
what appeared to them to be a most magnificently 
furnished restaurant. 


CHAPTER III. 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 

When Deacon Doak led the way into the restau- 
rant there was a look of determination on his face 
such as his family had never seen since the day of 
the town meeting, when he was elected treasurer 
of Canton. 

It was as if he had not realised the full extent of 
his recklessness until after entering the building ; 
but, once having committed himself, was bravely 
resolved to stand by his proposal to the bitter end. 

Filled with surprise by the apparent gorgeousness 
of the furnishings of the restaurant, Joe and Ned 
meekly followed behind Nellie, each feeling almost 
guilty because of the part he had played in leading 
the deacon into such an extravagance as this dinner 
promised to be. 

A coloured waiter conducted the visitors to a table 
at one side of the room, and would have taken 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 5 I 

Deacon Doak’s hat but that the latter clutched it 
firmly with both hands as if to intimate that he did 
not intend to part with his property until after good 
assurance that it would be safely returned. 

A second attendant attempted to aid Mrs. Doak 
by withdrawing the chair and then pushing it for- 
ward as she was about to sit down ; but the deacon, 
on the alert for any ‘‘sich tricks/’ said, in a com- 
manding tone : 

“ Don’t you let him fool you, Mercy ! He’s tryin’ 
to come that silly game of pullin’ the chair away when 
you sit down, an’ you’re too heavy for such pranks.” 

This caused Mrs. Doak to feel nervous, and before 
fully committing herself to the act of sitting, she 
clutched the chair with both hands, thus preventing 
any possibility of ‘‘a prank” on the part of the 
polite servant. 

The wraps and baggage were carefully placed near 
the wall, although the attendants offered to care for 
them ; Nellie was given a seat next her mother, and 
the two boys took positions on that side of the table 
nearest the door. 

The first waiter handed the deacon a printed bill 


52 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

of fare, and while the latter was wiping his specta- 
cles preparatory to reading it, Ned said to Joe, in a 
cautious whisper : 

“ I don’t see how Uncle Eli can make up his mind 
to stay in this place.” 

*‘Why ? ” and Joe looked up in surprise. 

** Because there’s liquor here, an’ he’s such a great 
temperance man.” 

** Where’s your liquor } ” 

In that bottle, of course. What else would they 
have in a thing like that ? ” and Ned pointed to the 
carafe. 

“ Do you really suppose that is spirits ? ” 

** It’s in a bottle.” 

I don’t believe it, ’cause father wouldn’t have 
anything of the kind near him,” and, first looking 
around to make certain he was not observed, Joe 
smelled of the contents of the carafe. Then, to his 
cousin’s astonishment, he boldly poured out a few 
drops and tasted of it. “ It’s nothin’ but water, 
though why they keep it in a bottle beats me. 
Say,” he added in a hoarse whisper to his mother, 
what’s these towels for ? ” 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 53 

still, Joseph, or folks will think for certain 
that you come from the country. They’re napkins, 
the same as I have when the sewin’ -circle meets 
at the farm.” 

“ I s’pose they’ve got ’em on now ’cause this is 
the Fourth of July, eh.?” 

‘‘Joseph, don’t talk ’bout what’s before you,” the 
deacon said, sternly. “ I can’t have my family dis- 
gracin’ me, when it’s likely to cost half the price of 
a small farm for our dinner. Listen to this, Mercy,” 
and the good man bent forward as he read in a 
voice tremulous with emotion, “ ‘ Two boiled eggs, 
twenty cents.’ What do you think of that for a 
city price .? A dollar an’ twenty cents a dozen for 
eggs ! Why, if we could sell ’em at half that figger. 
I’d think myself in a fair way to be a rich man ! 
An’ hear this, ‘Pumpkin pie, fifteen cents,’ an’ all 
I’m gettin’ from the cannin’ shops is four dollars 
a ton for the best pumpkins the sun ever shone 
on ! I allow there must be, at the least calcu- 
lation, thirteen cents profit oh one piece of pie, 
an’ it would cost me as much to feed this family 
on sich truck as I get for three hundred an’ 


54 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

seventy-five pounds after haulin’ em two miles an’ 
a half.” 

‘‘It’s a dreadful price, I know, father; but then 
we ain’t called upon to eat pie nor eggs. I’d like 
a good piece of beefsteak, so’s to see how they 
cook it.” 

“You would, eh.^” and now the deacon’s voice 
was hoarse with suppressed emotion. “Listen to 
this ’ere, an’ then ask me if I’m goin’ to buy 
five pieces of beefsteak jest because it’s the Fourth 
of July.? ‘Sirloin steak, seventy-five cents.’ Three- 
quarters of a dollar, Mercy, an’ there are five of us ! 
Where do you think we’d be landed after this din- 
ner was over, an’ the taxes cornin’ on month after 
next.?” 

Mrs. Doak held up both hands in pained astonish- 
ment. 

“ Haven’t you made some mistake, father .? They 
surely can’t charge so much as that for one little 
piece of meat ! ” 

“But they do, Mercy; here it is in black and 
white, an’ if we called on for it you’d find how true 
it is.” 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 5 5 

Let’s go right straight out. It would be a sinful 
waste of money to attempt to fill these children up 
at them prices,” and Mrs. Doak half arose from her 
chair. 

‘‘ Sit down, Mercy ; we must get somethin’, if it 
ain’t more’n a cup of coffee, an’ — ‘ Coffee, twenty 
cents a pot.’ There ! What do you think of that ? 
It looks like as if we’d have to fall back on milk. I 
ain’t so sure but what bread an’ milk would be 
hearty enough, seein’s how — ‘Milk, ten cents a 
glass ! ’ Mercy Doak, where have you led me ? 
Ten cents a glass ! There can’t be less than four 
tumblers in a quart, an’ that would amount to forty 
cents, while we’re sellin’ our’n to the creamery for 
two an’ a half ! I don’t wonder farmers are ground 
down in this country when eatin’-house people want 
sich a wicked profit. It’s downright swindlin’, that’s 
what it is.” 

“ Don’t let’s stay, father, don’t let’s stay.” 

“ I ain’t sure but we’re in for it now, seein’s we’ve 
got sot down, an’ are occupyin’ the time of these ’ere 
niggers. I reckon coffee is cheaper’n milk, ’cause a 
pot oughter make five cups, hadn’t it ? ” 


56 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

“ Yes, indeed ; more’n that, father, even if it was 
only a quart pot.” 

“There don’t seem to be anything cheaper, so 
we’ll start in on that, an’ while the nigger’s bringin’ 
it I’ll kinder study this thing a little.” 

The deacon gave his order for “ one pot of coffee ” 
in a subdued tone, and when the waiter left him con- 
tinued his perusal of the bill of fare. 

“ Here’s hot rolls marked fifteen cents ; but it 
don’t say how many they give of ’em.” 

“I shouldn’t think there could be less than half 
a batch at that price, an’ two rolls, if they’re sizeable 
at all, will make as much of a dinner as I need after 
your readin’ what you have.” 

The deacon beckoned to an attendant who was 
standing idle near by, and said to him much as if 
asking a very great favour : 

“ I’ve jest sent one of your men for a pot of 
coffee, an’ have made up my mind to buy a plate of 
hot rolls, too. Won’t you see about it ” 

“ I guess this is the last time Uncle Eli will pay 
for a city dinner,” Ned said, in a whisper, as at the 
same time he leaned back in the rest-inviting chair. 


AJV EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 57 

in order that he might receive the full benefit of the 
luxuries which were to be purchased at such an 
extravagant price. 

‘‘ It ain’t likely he’ll bring us here again, an’ I’m 
beginnin’ to think, Ned, that we’ll have to earn a 
good deal more’n a dollar a day if we’re goin’ to pay 
sich a price as this for vittles. It would take pretty 
nigh that much, ’cordin’ to what father’s read, to 
give me a regular dinner if I was very hungry.” 

By this time the waiter had returned, bringing on 
a silver salver a pot containing less than two cups of 
coffee, as was afterward learned by actual measure- 
ment, and a plate on which were three rolls. 

These articles he placed in front of the visitor 
from Herdsdale, and then stood behind the latter’s 
chair in an attitude of respectful attention. 

Deacon Doak looked alternately at what he had 
supposed would serve as a lunch for five, and at his 
wife, speaking not a word until fully a minute had 
elapsed, when his indignation could no longer be 
restrained, and said, in a tone sufficiently loud to 
be heard by those in the immediate vicinity : 

^‘We might have known before we left home. 


58 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

Mercy, that we was bound to be swindled if we come 
down to the city. Is this what they call a pot of 
coffee ? Why, it don’t hold much more’n a teacup- 
ful, an’ there’s the bread they charge fifteen cents 
for — three little, scraggly biscuits at five cents 
apiece ! Thirty-five cents for this dinner, an’ ’cordin’ 
to the looks of things we’ll have to drink out of one 
cup, for that’s all the man brought.” 

‘‘ I don’t know as I’m so very hungry, father,” 
Aunt Mercy whispered, in a soothing tone. 
“There’s coffee an’ bread enough for you, at all 
events, an’ the rest of us will buy peanuts, or some- 
thin’ of that sort, after we get out-of-doors.” 

“ You won’t do anything of the kind, Mercy Doak. 
I’ll admit I’m a savin’ man, an’ perhaps some of my 
neighbours are in the right when they say I hold on 
to a cent almost too long ; but I ain’t so savin’ as to 
be willin’ to set down here an’ eat these biscuits while 
you an’ the children look on, for you’re all as hungry 
as I am. It seems like a sinful waste to pay the prices 
these folks ask ; but now that we’re here it’s got to be 
done, an’ we’ll try to economise after we get home. 
A few quarts of water in the milk, or a sprinklin’ on 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 59 

the next load of hay we haul, will help set this bill 
somewhere near right. Fd like powerful well to sell 
some truck to the man who keeps this place ; then 
I reckon Fd square the bill ! See here, mister,” he 
added, addressing the waiter, ‘‘ I live up to Canton, 
an’ came down with mother an’ the children to see the 
celebration. We brought some fodder with us, an’ 
allowed it would be enough to last all day. The 
boys were greedy, an’ eat the most of it before 
we got into town. Now I want dinner ; the cheap- 
est thing that’s fillin’ which you can scare up for 
five of us. I can’t really afford to pay what you ask, 
an’ it would take too long to hunt over this piece of 
paper agin, so s’posen you give me the best you can 
for the smallest money.” 

‘‘Corned beef hash is hearty, sir,” the man ven- 
tured to suggest. 

“ An’ good too, if it’s made right. Is that about 
as cheap as any of your truck ? ” 

“ Yes, sir, I think it is the most economical dish 
we have.” 

“ Bring me five plates of it, an’ another cup so I 
can give mother some coffee. The children will get 


6o 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 


along on cold water, I reckon. Say, do you folks 
want to buy any milk or eggs } ” 

“ You must speak with the proprietor about that, 
sir.” 

“ Is he here } ” 

“Not now, sir ; but he is in every morning 
between nine and ten.” 

“ Away the rest of the time, eh 1 ” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Well, I don't wonder things is run this way. If 
he’d ’tend to business an’ look after the pennies, 
he wouldn’t have to try so mortal hard to get dollars 
out of other people’s pockets by chargin’ ten cents 
for one little glass of milk, when the most anybody 
else would dare to ask for a quart is five. Say, my 
name is Eli Doak, Canton, York State, an’ if the 
man who owns this vittlin’-room wants to buy prime 
butter, fresh eggs, or milk at anything like the prices 
he’s got marked down here, I wish he’d give me 
a call.” 

“ I’ll speak to him about it, sir,” the waiter replied, 
evidently trying exceedingly hard to restrain a smile, 
and then hurried away to fill the modest order. 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 


6i 


Ten minutes later the visitors from Herdsdale had 
been served. Mrs. Doak shared the coffee with her 
husband ; the children had goblets filled with cracked 
ice and water, and a plentiful supply of bread had 
been brought with the hash. 

“ Now this ain’t so bad, after all,” Deacon Doak 
said, approvingly, as he conveyed from the plate to 
his mouth as large a quantity of the hashed meat 
as he could conveniently raise on the end of his 
knife. With what bread there is here it ought to 
be all the vittles we’ll need ’twixt now an’ the time 
we get home. I’m glad I put the case before that 
nigger jest as I did. He seems to be a decent kind 
of man.” 

‘‘ So he is, father, an’ this dinner is good enough 
for a king, though I can’t say that the hash is any- 
thing extra nice. Time an’ time agin we’ve had jest 
as good on our own table, an’ I daresay this will cost 
twice as much as it would at home. Do you know 
how much they ask for it ? ” 

‘‘ I didn’t look. He said it was the cheapest thing 
in the place,” and the deacon turned his attention to 
the task of appeasing his hunger, until, unable longer 


62 


LARRY HUDSON AMBITION. 


to restrain his curiosity, he again took up the bill of 
fare that he might ascertain how much would be 
charged for this frugal dinner. 

It was several moments before he found the item 
for which he was searching, and then the paper 
fluttered from his almost nerveless fingers as he 
gazed reproachfully at his wife. 

Bless my heart, father ! What is the matter 
with you } Are you goin’ to have another spell of 
dyspepsy ? ” 

‘‘ Dyspepsy ! Til have worse than that, mother, 
before I’ve paid for this ’ere dinner. What do you 
s’pose they charge for hash } ” 

“They couldn’t decently ask more’n ten cents 
for each plate, an’ even then they’d get a terrible 
profit. I’m sure it don’t cost anything to make, 
’cause they can take what’s left over from dinner, 
an’ there’s always enough, if you boil a big piece 
of beef, to work up, with what vegetables you 
have, more hash than would supply all the people 
here.” 

“ Ifs twenty-five cents a plate^ Mercy ! ” 

The knife and fork fell from Mrs. Doak’s hands as 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 63 

she gazed at her husband with an expression on her 
face very like that of fear. 

“ It’s twenty-five cents a plate ! Five twenty-fives 
is a dollar an’ a quarter. Twenty cents for the 
coffee is a dollar forty-five, an’ fifteen for them 
biscuits makes a dollar an’ sixty cents for this 
poor little lot of vittles. Why, that’s nigh on to 
as much as we spend for a whole week’s feed at 
home ! ” 

Mrs. Doak pushed her chair back from the table. 

What are you goin’ to do now, mother ? ” the 
deacon asked, sharply. 

** It’s taken away all my appetite, Eli, to think of 
how much money you’ve got to pay.” 

This ain’t no time to lose your appetite, Mercy. 
We’ve got to eat every scrap, an’ then we sha’n’t 
come out anywhere nigh even. Set still till that 
hash is gone, an’ then do your share on the bread. I 
ain’t countin’ on buy in’ sich stuff for a dollar an’ 
sixty cents, an’ then leavin’ more’n half for them to 
sell over agin to somebody else ! Joseph, Edward, 
see that you take care of all that bread. You won’t 
get any more to-day.” 


64 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

** We will, an’ as much agin, if they are willin’ to 
bring it on,” Joe replied, cheerily. 

From that moment until all the eatables had dis- 
appeared, the visitors from Herdsdale were most 
industrious, and then the deacon, with a long-drawn 
sigh, as if the movement gave him real pain, drew a 
well-worn calf-skin wallet from his pocket. 

The waiter, observing the action, placed before 
him a small slip of paper, on which was written a list 
of the articles served, with the prices affixed. 

So you make out a reg’lar bill, eh ? Well, I 
should think you ought to. I’d be willin’ to do the 
same if I made sich a profit,” and very slowly 
Deacon Doak counted out the necessary amount. 

Pay at the desk, please.” 

The desk, eh ? Where’s that ? ” 

** Over there, sir, where the lady is sitting.” 

“Well, I’ll walk up an’ settle, but I hope they 
won’t charge me anything for goin’ across the floor. 
It wouldn’t be strange if they should try to, ’cordin’ 
to what I’ve seen in this ’ere place.” 

In single file, as if it were necessary all should take 
part in the performance, the Doak family marched 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 65 

up to the desk, the observed of all observers, and 
the deacon said, as he handed his money and check 
to the cashier : 

“ If it so be you ever get up to Canton, come out 
to Herdsdale farm an’ I’ll sell you all the hash you 
can carry away for a dollar an’ sixty cents.” 

No reply was made to this remark ; but the fact 
that he had thus freed his mind gave the deacon 
considerable satisfaction, and he said when the 
family were on the sidewalk once more : 

“ I guess I come pretty nigh gettin’ even with that 
young woman. She’ll remember what I said till the 
next Fourth of July, or I’m mistaken, an’ perhaps 
the rest of the folks that come here won’t have to 
pay quite so much, or else they’ll have decent-sized 
coffee-pots when they try to sell ’em for twenty 
cents apiece.” 

‘‘What are we goin’ to do now, father.?” Mrs. 
Doak asked, eager to change the subject of conver- 
sation. 

“If I did what I ought to. I’d go straight back 
home an’ try to make up for the money we’ve squan- 
dered ; but now that we’re here we’ll see what’s left 


66 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


of the celebration, if it so be there is any,” and the 
good man turned abruptly around as if to lead his 
family in search of the “celebration,” when he was 
accosted by a man dressed in what might be supposed 
the extreme of fashion, and wearing a profusion of 
jewelry. 

“ Fm glad to see you, farmer, glad to see you,” the 
stranger said, affably, as he held out his hand, which 
was immediately clasped by the deacon, who stood 
gazing at him inquiringly. “It’s some time since 
you’ve been in the city, isn’t it } ” 

“Yes, nigh on to three years. But where have I 
seen you, neighbour ? I can’t remember your face 
for the life of me. Was you ever out to the Herds- 
dale farm, or in Canton ? ” 

“I’ve been in Canton very often. You must 
remember me. My name is Folsom.” 

“ I don’t seem to recall the name ; but then my 
memory ain’t anywhere nigh to what it used to be. 
Instead of tryin’ to remember, I ought to be glad to 
see any one I know, after all that’s happened,” and 
the deacon immediately began a detailed account of 
his visit to the restaurant. 


AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT. 6 / 

Meanwhile Mrs. Doak and Nellie took refuge in 
the nearest doorway, and Joe and Ned moved rest- 
lessly here or there, eager to continue the search for 
the ^‘celebration.” 

While he talked with the alleged Mr. Folsom the 
deacon unconsciously moved farther and farther from 
his family, until his newly discovered friend and him- 
self were in the very midst of the throng which was 
constantly passing in either direction. 

Several times he was rudely jostled by the pedes- 
trians, and once a stranger pressed so violently 
against him that the good man very nearly lost his 
temper and turned to rebuke the offender. 

While doing so he was pushed on either side by 
several who approached unnecessarily near, and when 
he turned again Mr. Folsom had disappeared. 

“ Did you see where that man went, mother } ” 
he asked, as he stepped into the doorway by the side 
of Aunt Mercy. 

“ Bless you, no, father. There are so many people 
around here that it don’t seem as if I could see any 
of ’em. Where are the boys ” 


“ I thought they was with you.” 


68 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


I saw both of them on the corner a few minutes 
ago, an’ supposed you was lookin’ out for ’em. It 
would be a dreadful thing if they should get lost in 
this big city.” 

“ Now don’t begin to borrow trouble, mother, for 
we’ve had enough of it this day. We’ll stand here 
an’ wait for ’em. Most likely they’ll be back in a 
minute, an’ — Where’s my wallet ? ” 

The deacon almost screamed as he hurriedly 
searched first one pocket and then another, without 
finding that for which he sought. 

‘‘ I’ve been robbed, Mercy — robbed even worse 
than I was in that eatin’-house, for my watch has 
gone with the money. Here we are, both boys 
mis sin’, an’ not a cent to pay our way home ! Yes, 
everything has been stole,” he added, as he made 
another and equally unsuccessful search, “an’ I’ve 
always allowed that a man who’d come down here to 
the city an’ let these sharpers get the best of him 
was a fool ! ” 


CHAPTER IV. 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. 

Joe and Ned had no idea of abandoning the deacon 
while he was talking with the man who called himself 
“ Folsom.” 

At the moment when the good man was accosted 
by the alleged frequent visitor to Canton, a street 
vendor had passed with toy pistols for sale, and his 
wares so closely imitated real weapons that both the 
boys were eager to make an investment. 

The price of the toy was twenty-five cents, and 
seemed too large a sum to be expended for such 
a purpose; but Joe felt positive a reduction would 
be made if two were sold to the same customer, and 
proposed to follow the man until they found a 
convenient opportunity to bargain with him. 

The vendor, however, continued to move on at 
a reasonably rapid pace until he was more than a 
square from where the deacon stood, and not until 
69 


70 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


he had halted to resume business was there an 
opportunity for Joe to do as he desired. 

By this time the boys were hidden from view of 
the Doak family by the throng of pedestrians, and 
so intent on the proposed bargain that probably 
neither had given heed to the direction in which 
he had come, therefore it might have been impossi- 
ble for them to retrace their steps to the spot where 
the deacon was bewailing the loss of his money. 

This was a matter of but little concern to them 
just at the moment, however; they were for the 
time being oblivious to everything save the desire 
to become possessors of the toys. 

** How much shall we offer him for two ” Joe 
asked, when the man had halted. 

“ With what money Uncle Eli gave me, Tve only 
got twenty-six cents ; but I’d spend fifteen of it for 
the sake of havin’ one of them pistols.” 

“ I’ve got seven cents more than you, an’ will give 
that much extra if we can buy them. Keep close 
behind me so if he makes an offer we can take him 
up before he has time to back down.” 

Then, almost timid at the idea of bargaining with 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. > 7 1 

a city trader, Joe approached, and opened the 
business by asking : 

“ Say, mister, if you could sell two of them pistols 
how much would you take for them ? ” 

“ Seein’s it’s you, I’ll part with a couple for fifty 
cents, an’ they’re dirt cheap at that price. The 
man what makes ’em has died broken-hearted be- 
cause the public didn’t jump in an’ buy when he 
offered them at sich a ridiculously small figger, an’ 
I’ve got the last of the stock. It’s the only chance 
you’ll have to-day, sonny, to get two pistols like 
these for half a dollar.” 

But you only ask a quarter when you sell one.” 

“ Sure, an’ I’m not raisin’ a cent because you want 
more’n your share. Take my advice an’ don’t delay 
’bout buyin’, ’cause they’ll be gone in less’n five 
minutes after it’s known I’m here sellin’ ’em. The 
folks in this city are jest crazy over this thing, an’ 
I don’t dare to stand very long in one place for fear 
of bein’ arrested on a charge of blockin’ the street 
with them as wants to buy.” 

*‘But, see here, Ned an’ I haven’t got much 
more’n fifty cents, an’ we can’t put out all our 


■'f 

72 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

money. Now, if you’ll take off somethin’ for the 
sake of sellin’ two, we’ll buy ’em.” 

How much cash have you } ” 

‘‘ I’ve got thirty-three cents ; but he has only 
twenty-six.” 

‘‘Pass over half a dollar, an’ then you’ll have 
nine cents left. Plenty enough for you boys to 
spend on foolishness. Buy one of these an’ you’ve 
got somethin’ to last you a lifetime. You won’t 
never need another pistol of this kind, no matter 
how old you grow, because these are made to 
wear.” 

The man extended one hand in which were the 
two toys, and held out the other for the money 
with such a peremptory gesture that Joe was almost 
persuaded it was necessary he should purchase the 
goods. 

“I wouldn’t have but one cent left after that 
trade, an’ you an’ I can’t stand it,” Ned said, quickly, 
fearing lest his cousin was about to conclude the 
bargain. “I’ll go fifteen cents, an’ we’ll take two 
at that price,” he added, to the vendor. 

“Fifteen cents for a pistol like that ! You might 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. 73 

be ashamed to offer it. This ’ere weapon would cost 
two dollars up where you live.” 

“I don’t believe there’s anything like it in Can- 
ton.” 

Of course there ain’t, ’cause they come too high. 
There’s only one man in this city what can buy ’em 
at a figger low enough for him to peddle them out at 
a quarter, an’ that man is me. The Canton store- 
keepers would charge all of two dollars if they could 
get ’em, but they can’t.” 

‘‘ Will you take fifteen cents ” 

‘‘Not much. Give me forty-five an’ the two of 
’em is your’n. That’s the very best price I can 
make, an’ it’s jest like th rowin’ goods away. Why, 
you can use them the balance of the day, an’ to- 
morrow trade ’em off for twice as much.” 

Ned shook his head and turned away that he 
might not be tempted. 

“They’re yours for forty-five cents, an’ I wouldn’t 
sell ’em to my grandmother for forty-four.” 

“Let’s buy them, Ned,” Joe whispered. “What 
that man says must be true. We never saw any- 
thing of the kind for the money.” 


74 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

<< But we shall have only fourteen cents left, an’ 
who knows but we’ll need to ride in the cars before 
we strike such a job as Sam Bartlett found.” 

“ I’ll risk that part of it if you will. We’ve got all 
the afternoon, an’ it can’t be terrible far to walk 
when the stores are so near together.” 

Ned hesitated, but Joe insisted, and the result was 
that forty-five cents of their hoard went into the 
vendor’s possession, while they stood on the sidewalk 
clutching their prizes. 

“ Hi ! Jimmy ! Get on to the galoots from 
Cohoes ! ” a shrill voice cried from behind Joe, and 
turning suddenly the latter saw a boy of about his 
own age with a bootblack’s outfit suspended from 
his shoulder. 

‘‘ Come over here an’ see the country jays ! ” the 
lad continued, shrilly, not a whit abashed by the fact 
that Joe was looking at him sternly. ‘‘They’ve 
come down to take the town.” 

“ What’s the matter with you ? ” Joe asked, 
sharply. 

“ Hurry up, Jimmy ! Hurry up, or you’ll lose the 
show ! ” 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. 75 

By this time Joe was thoroughly provoked. It 
seemed to him a good and sufficient cause for anger 
that they should be thus rudely pointed out as 
country boys, and when to this was added the intima- 
tion that they were so odd in appearance as to con- 
stitute a ‘‘show,” the insult was too great to be borne 
calmly. 

“You’d better mind what you’re sayin’, Mr. 
Smarty. We may come from the country ; but we 
don’t count on lettin’ you poke fun at us.” 

By this time the bootblack’s friend, he who had 
been addressed as “ Jimmy,” arrived on the scene, 
and immediately began calling to other acquaintances, 
all the while pretending to be so convulsed with 
laughter that it was with difficulty he could speak. 

“ Don’t say anything to them, Joe,” Ned whispered. 
“ It would be an awful thing if we should get into 
a row, an’ a policeman arrested us. Let’s go back to 
Uncle Eli.” 

Joe stood irresolutely an instant while Ned tugged 
at his coat sleeve, and when he finally decided to 
follow this very good advice it was no longer possible 
to do so. 


76 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

Thanks to the shrill cries of the two bootblacks a 
crowd numbering a dozen or more boys had gathered, 
some carrying papers under their arms, others with 
boxes and brushes in their hands or swung over their 
shoulders, and not a few empty-handed. 

The newcomers pressed so closely around the 
visitors from Herdsdale that it was literally impos- 
sible for them to advance a step in either direction, 
and Ned began to exhibit symptoms of the liveliest 
alarm. 

The city boys amused themselves by making loud 
comments on the general appearance of the two 
from Canton, and pressed closer and closer until Joe 
and Ned soon found themselves forced back against 
the wall of a building. 

“I ain’t goin’ to stand this,” Joe whispered. If 
these fellows think we’re afraid, they’ll talk an’ act a 
good deal worse than they’re doin’ now. I’d almost 
rather be arrested than to stay here lettin’ them poke 
fun at me.” 

“ But what else can you do We don’t stand any 
show with a crowd like this.” 

‘‘I’ll make one or two of ’em sorry they ever saw 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. yj 

a feller from Canton,’* and as Joe raised his fist 
threateningly, loud, derisive laughter burst from the 
throng. 

“ Look out there ! Somebody’s pullin’ the string, 
an’ he’ll come apart if we ain’t careful ! ” 

“Get in here closer. Let’s see how a country 
sport can put up his hands ! ” 

“ Give him all the room he wants ; but don’t hurt 
him, ’cause he’s bound to get back an’ take care of 
the calves to-night.” 

Each member of the throng seemed to think it 
necessary he should make some derisive remark ; 
but no one appeared to be afraid of Joe’s threatening 
gestures. 

“ They want to pick a fuss, an’ would be only too 
glad if we’d start it,” Ned whispered. “ Let them 
keep on a spell, it won’t hurt us ; an’ if a policeman 
comes along I’ll ask him to drive them off.” 

“ I can take care of two or three, an’ I’m goin’ to. 
I’d rather get a terrible thumpin’ than let ’em talk 
like this,” and Joe was about to rush forward, 
although there could be no question but that he 
would be the one to suffer in the encounter, when a 


78 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

familiar voice was heard above the din of the street, 
crying : 

‘‘Joseph ! Edward ! What are you doin’ there ? ” 

“ Hi ! Here’s the boss guy himself, lookin’ after 
the kids,” some one shouted, and all unconscious 
that the remark was intended for him. Deacon Doak 
advanced quickly toward his son and nephew, as he 
said : 

“After all the trouble we’ve had to-day it does 
seem as though you might have enjoyed yourselves 
in some other fashion than by runnin’ away. You’re 
mother is most distracted, thinkin’ you’re lost.” 

“Yes, go back, sonny, an’ sooth your marm ! ” 
one of the bootblacks shouted, and as the others 
gave way to bursts of seemingly uncontrollable 
laughter, Joe darted .toward the speaker, but the 
deacon’s hand arrested his movements so suddenly 
that he was only saved from falling by Ned’s oppor- 
tune grasp. 

“Joseph, are you tryin’ to raise a row with these 
boys.?” 

“They’ve been pokin’ fun at Ned an* me till I 
couldn’t stand it any longer,” Joe whimpered. 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. 79 

And you would disgrace your mother an’ me by 
fightin’, would you ? ” the deacon asked, sternly. 

‘‘Be careful of him, perfessor,” one of the tor- 
mentors cried. “Be careful an’ don’t let him hurt 
hisself ; better save him to kill a crow with.” 

It was as if the deacon had but just begun to 
understand that the shrill cries were intended for his 
own ear, and he turned quickly, still holding Joe by 
the coat-collar, as he asked : 

“ Are you talkin’ to me, sonny ? ” 

“Your name is Freshfield, from Jersey, ain’t it?” 

“Are you another who has met me up to Canton, 
an’ want to talk about old times out on the side- 
walk where some one can steal my money ? My 
name is Doak ; I’m from Canton, an’ don’t want 
any truck with sich as you.” 

“Fellers, this is Perfessor Doak from Canton,” 
the bootblack said, with mock politeness, as he 
bowed first toward the deacon and then to his com- 
rades. “Step up here an’ shake hands with the 
perfessor, while I hold the kid for him.” 

“ Hurrah for Perfessor Doak from Canton ! ” one 
of the throng shouted, and while they were yelling 


8o 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


at the full strength of their lungs, careful to keep 
beyond reach of the deacon’s arm, yet pressing suf- 
ficiently close to give him the full benefit of the 
noise, a policeman appeared in the distance. 

As if by magic the tormentors vanished. 

“ How long have they been sassin’ of you, 
Joseph ? ” the deacon asked, in a more kindly tone, 
when he was assured the last of the throng had 
departed. 

“ Almost ever since we left you an’ mother. We 
come over here to buy a pistol from a man, an’ hadn’t 
more’n done so before these fellers flocked ’round.” 

I’ve always told you, Joseph, that it was wrong 
to fight ; but if you’d turned to an’ given that 
smallest chap a good sound floggin’, I ain’t certain 
but that I’d have upheld you in such a course. I 
thought we had boys up to Canton who would beat 
the world for impudence, but these are the worst I 
ever saw. Come back with me to where I left your 
mother, an’ we’ll see how we’re goin’ to get home 
to-night.” 

“Why, we’ll go on the cars, won’t we, Uncle 
Eli.?” Ned asked, in astonishment. 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. 


8i 


‘‘I ain’t so certain ’bout that, unless somebody 
up ’round the depot knows who I am, for every 
cent of money I brought with me has been stolen.” 

“ Stolen } ” 

“Yes, I thought I was bein’ robbed pretty hard 
while we was in that eatin’-house ; but I’d no sooner 
got out on the sidewalk when somebody took my 
wallet an’ watch. It wasn’t any great shakes of a 
timepiece, ’cause it hasn’t run for the last two years ; 
but there was silver enough in the cases to make it 
worth two or three dollars.” 

“ How much money did you lose, father ” 

“ Well, there was a good deal more’n five dollars, 
which makes us pay dear for our whistle this day, 
to say nothin’ of the trouble we may have gettin’ 
home.” 

Joe and Ned gazed at each other in dismay, both 
feeling almost guilty because they had spent so 
much money in the purchase of the toys when it 
might be so sadly needed. 

There was but little opportunity, however, for 
them to dwell upon the robbery and its possible 
results. The policeman had continued on his beat 


82 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


up the Street, and the crew of bootblacks and news- 
boys reappeared as suddenly as they had vanished, 
immediately resuming their sport by discussing the 
personal appearance of the deacon as they previously 
had that of Joe and Ned. 

Slow to wrath and a man of peace though Deacon 
Doak was, he could not wholly restrain his temper 
under this flood of adverse criticism, and, much to 
the amusement of his tormentors, made strenuous 
efforts to seize one of them. 

“ ril give you a lesson in good manners if nothin’ 
more, you little rascals ! ” he cried, angrily, as he 
ran after first one and then another with no better 
success than to arouse the mirth of the passers-by. 

Not until he had tried unsuccessfully half a dozen 
times to catch one of the aggressors did he realise 
that he was making an unenviable exhibition of 
himself, and then, with his back against the building, 
as Joe and Ned had stood a few moments before, 
he stood glancing quickly around from time to time, 
as if hoping to find some way of escape. 

The city boys were in high glee now they had 
succeeded in arousing the deacon to anger, and 



“ THE CITY BOYS WERE IN HIGH GLEE 




A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. 83 

danced just beyond reach of his arm as they hurled 
taunts and unfriendly criticisms in order that his 
wrath might not cool. 

Deacon Doak was powerless to end the scene in 
which he and his two boys were the central figures, 
for when he attempted to move up the street toward 
where his wife and Nellie were waiting, the boys 
followed, so impeding his progress that it was almost 
impossible for him to make any headway. 

I declare, this is almost as bad as bein' robbed," 
he said, with a long-drawn sigh, as he wiped the 
perspiration from his face. ‘‘I never had an idee 
boys could act so much as if the evil one himself 
was in 'em ! " 

Stand right here. Uncle Eli, till that policeman 
comes back, an’ they’ll run as soon as he shows 
himself.’’ 

<‘Yes, an’ in the meantime who can tell what 
mother is doin ’ } She may make up her mind that 
I’ve got lost as well as you, an’ start out to hunt us 
up. I don’t believe I should ever be able to find 
her agin in this pesky city.’’ 

At this moment, when the deacon was despairing 


84 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

of being able to rid himself of the noisy throng, a 
boy similar in appearance to those who were having 
so much sport at the expense of the visitors from 
Canton came on the scene, and for an instant Joe 
thought he was an accession to the ranks of the 
mischief-makers. 

In this he soon found himself mistaken, however, 
for instantly the newcomer appeared, the taunts of 
the others decreased in volume, but were not stilled 
entirely until he shouted, harshly : 

“ Now, then, what are you duffers up to Jumpin’ 
on an old man an’ two kids jest ’cause they come 
from the country, eh } You ought’ er be ashamed of 
yourselves, an’ I’ll soon see that you are if this 
hootin’ an’ yellin’ ain’t stopped mighty quick. 
Come an’ tackle me if you want some fun, but 
leave the hayseeders alone so long as they mind 
their own business.” 

One by one the deacon’s tormentors stole quietly 
away until only two were left, and the boy who had 
worked such a decided change in the scene turned 
toward them sharply : 

“Did you hear what I said, or do you want me 


A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER, 85 

to whistle it? Get a hustle on, or I’ll give you 
a chance to put up your hands. Think it’s mighty 
smart to corner a couple of kids what don’t know 
the city, eh ? It’s big odds you didn’t dare to stand 
up in front of ’em, but kept your distance while you 
thought you was bein’ so terribly funny. Get a 
move on now, or I’ll take a hand in this little show, 
an’ you won’t have sich a snap as you counted on ! ” 
The last of the throng which had caused Deacon 
Doak so much annoyance beat a retreat, although 
the boy who had put them and their comrades to 
flight was no larger than the smallest member of 
their party. 


CHAPTER V. 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 

Deacon Doak gazed for an instant admiringly at 
the boy who had thus rescued him from an unpleasant 
position, and then glanced up and down the street, to 
make certain his tormentors had really taken their 
departure, after which he said to the stranger : 

“You’ve done us a powerful sight of good, sonny, 
an’ if you ever come to Canton I’ll try an’ make it 
up to you.” 

“ I didn’t do anything but walk ’round the comer. 
Them chumps are mighty stout when they think 
they can scare anybody ; but there ain’t one of the 
gang who dares to stand up an’ give or take like a 
man. Had they been guyin’ you very long ? ” 

“ How’s that ? ” 

“ Had they been guyin’ you very long — makin’ 
fun of you, I mean, same’s they was when I 
come up ? ” 


86 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 8 / 

They started in on the boys quite a spell ago,” 
and Deacon Doak motioned toward Joe and Ned, 
who were gazing with undisguised admiration at the 
lad who could put to flight half a dozen or more 
fellows, each of whom might have been his equal 
both in strength and agility. ‘‘When I came up 
they pitched into me, an’ I declare to you there 
was so many of ’em I couldn’t seem to get away, 
while as for catchin’ ’em, the pesky little things are 
like fleas.” 

“I know their tricks. There’s two in that gang 
what make a reg’lar business of guyin’ folks from 
the country, an’ some of these days they’ll get into 
trouble.” 

“ I’m powerful obleeged to you, sonny, ’cause if 
you hadn’t come up jest as you did I don’t know 
what might have happened.” 

“That’s all right,” the boy replied, carelessly. “I 
always hate to see ’em bullyin’ a jay ; but I ain’t so 
sure as I’d tried to break up the fun if Bim Crowley 
hadn’t been in the crowd.” 

“ What had Bim Crowley to do with it ” 

“He travels with that gang, an’ I promised his 


88 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 


mother day before yesterday I’d see he didn’t get 
into trouble. Them duffers counted on lookin’ out 
sharp for the cops ; but a policeman’s eye ain’t shut 
more’n half the time, an’ all hands might have been 
nabbed jest at the very minute they thought things 
was goin’ smooth, see } That would be tough on 
Bim’s mother, you know, an’ I wasn’t goin’ to take 
the chances.” 

“ How does it happen that they ran the minute 
you showed your nose ’round the corner.^” 

‘‘ Oh, they know me, that gang does,” the boy 
replied, with a swagger, ‘‘an’ they know what would 
hfippen if any of ’em tried to be too smart where 
I was.” 

“ Do you mean to tell me, sonny, that you could 
have got the best of that whole crowd } ” 

“I shouldn’t have tried it while they was all 
together; but I’d took one or two at a time, an’ 
before next Saturday night every feller would have 
found hisself done up in great shape, see.^ Say, 
where was you goin’ when the gang stopped 
you } ” 

The deacon was rapidly growing confidential with 


A FRIEND IN NEED, 89 

this new acquaintance, and he had good cause, for 
the boy was the only one, out of the many thousand 
people he had met that day, who seemed willing to 
aid or advise. 

Drawing Joe and Ned closer, as if to introduce 
them more particularly to the stranger’s notice, he 
began a recital of the forenoon’s mishaps, concluding 
the not very pleasant story by saying : 

“We’ve kind’er slipped by the celebration, so to 
speak, an’ got rid of all our money without anything 
to show for it. I did begrudge what I spent in that 
eatin’-house, but now I wish I’d gone the whole 
figger, an’ had a reg’lar dinner. Then there would 
have been so much the less for the thieves to get.” 

“ You run up agin that bunco man dead easy.” 

“ Eh } ” 

“I mean the duffer what called hisself Folsom 
was a bunco steerer, an’ you gave right up to him.” 

“Yes, I s’pose I did,” the deacon said, thought- 
fully, “an’ I’ve read enough about countrymen bein’ 
buncoed to have had my wits about me, but yet I 
didn’t. Say, sonny, what’s your name ? ” 

“Larry Hudson.” 


90 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


“ Of course you live here in the city ? ” 

“Yes, I sorter hang ’round.” 

“ Don’t you have any business ^ ” 

“ Oh, yes ; I shine for a livin’. Sometimes I get 
it, an’ sometimes I don’t.” 

“You do what } ” 

“ Shine — black boots, you know. Didn’t you say 
you had the old woman an’ another of the kids 
with you } ” 

“ Bless my heart, I’d almost forgotten about 
mother, an’ there’s no knowin’ whether she stayed 
where I left her or not. What with losin’ my money, 
an’ gettin’ into a row with them pesky boys. I’m 
kind’er mixed up. It went out of my mind for a 
minute that mother must be got home somehow, 
which is where the rest of us ought to be, though 
I declare I don’t know how it’s to be done. S’posen 
you come along with us, unless you’re in a hurry.” 

“There ain’t any rope tied to me this afternoon. 
Business was dull, an’ I knocked off work quite a 
spell ago.” 

“ Then you haven’t got anything to do the balance 
of the day ” 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 


91 

‘‘ It don’t look like it. I can’t kick agin knockin’ 
’round on a day like this. I had a pretty fair trade 
in the mornin’, an’ can afford to lay still a spell, 
I reckon.” 

‘‘ Do you live anywhere hereabouts ? ” 

“ Me an’ another feller are swellin’ in a room up 
on Mulberry Street this week ; but unless trade 
grows better, I reckon we’ll have to snoop ’round 
the streets for a place to sleep pretty soon.” 

Do you mean to say you haven’t any home } ” 
and the deacon looked at Larry in astonishment. 

“ Do you think if I had one I’d be bangin’ ’round 
here now } ” 

Where are your folks } ” 

‘‘Mother’s dead, an’ father’s down on the Island 
doin’ time.” 

“ Doin’ what ” 

“Doin’ time — arrested, you know, an’ sentenced 
for six months.” 

“ What had he been up to ” 

“ Boozin’ ; he’s what you call a chronical drunkard, 
but he don’t bother me, an’ you can bet I let him 
alone.” 


92 LARRY HUDSON AMBITION. 

You seem to be a real decent sort of a boy to 
have a drunkard for a father.” 

It ain’t any sign ’cause the old man goes wrong 
that I have to,” Larry replied, stoutly. ‘‘Why did 
you want to know if I had anything to do the 
balance of the day } ” 

“ I was thinkin. I’d hire you to show us ’round — I 
declare I forgot jest for the minute that I hadn’t 
anything to hire you with. Well, we’ll get along 
an’ find mother. You’re cornin ’ } ” 

“ Sure ; I’ll hang by you a spell longer, for them 
duffers ain’t so far off but what they’ll tackle you 
agin if they see me leave. Better get a move on, or 
the old woman may be gone.” 

Thus admonished, the deacon walked rapidly in 
the direction from which he had come, and Larry 
took charge of the two boys, who already looked 
upon him as a hero. 

“ So you haven’t seen any of the Fourth of July 
yet, eh ” he asked. 

“This is all we’ve got to show for it,” and Joe 
proudly displayed his toy pistol. “Ned an’ me 
bought two of these for forty-five cents.” 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 


93 

Only two of ’em ? Why, you must have money 
to burn ! You ought’er got five or six at that price. 
They’re worth ten cents apiece, an’ I wouldn’t give 
that much for a dozen.” 

“Ten cents But the man asked a quarter for 
one.” 

“He might have asked it ; but I don’t reckon 
he sold many at that price. You can find all you 
can lug on the Bowery for a dime.” 

Joe glanced quickly toward his cousin, and then 
replaced the toy in his pocket with a gesture of 
impatience. 

“ I don’t wonder city folks laugh at us for bein’ 
green, ’cause that’s what we are. I believe we’ve 
been cheated pretty near as bad as father has. I’d 
like to know how Sam Bartlett got along when he 
first come to this town.” 

“ Who’s Sam Bartlett ? ” 

“A feller from Canton who come down here an’ 
got a mighty fine job — pays him as much as a 
dollar a day, an’ when he left home he was jest as 
green as we are.” 

“ If he was he must have cut his teeth since then. 


94 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

or nobody’ d ever keep him,” and Larry looked at the 
two from Herdsdale with a smile. 

“Yes, I know we’re green,” Joe admitted, frankly, 
“an’ so would you be if you’d always lived on a 
farm, an’ this was the first time you’d come to 
the city.” 

“Well,” Larry said, emphatically, “if I had a 
home on a farm you can bet I’d never want to go 
to the city. I don’t see why it is that kids in the 
country allers think it’s sich a mighty fine thing to 
live in town.” 

“ Don’t you think it is ? ” 

“You can bet your bottom dollar I don’t! Jest 
show me a chance to get a home in the country, 
an’ then see how hard it would be to pull me out 
of it! But say, how’s your father goin’ to get 
back .? ” 

“ That’s what’s worryin’ us,” Ned replied, 
promptly, “ an’ I guess he’s doin’ a heap of thinkin’ 
to figger it out. Look here, Larry, if you wanted 
to find a job ’round this place, where would you 

go? 

“ But I don’t want to find one, ’cause I can make 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 95 

more at blackin’ boots than I could workin’ in a 
store. It costs so blamed much to buy clothes, if 
you’re swellin’ behind a counter.” 

“But s’posen you did want to get one, where 
would you go ” 

“ Look here ! ” and Larry stopped suddenly in 
front of his new acquaintances. “Are you kids 
sich fools as to want to come down here to live.^” 

“That’s what we counted on doin’ if we could get 
a job.” 

“Well, take my advice, an’ go back to the farm 
jest as quick as ever you can. If that feller what 
you know says the city’s better’n the country, he’s 
’bout the same as a bloomin’ idjut. I’ve knocked 
’round this town all my life ; sometimes had a home, 
but more often I hadn’t ; one day I’d earn enough for 
my grub, an’ the next I’d have to fill up with wind 
puddin’, ’cause I had no money to buy anything with. 
Fellers on a farm can always get enough to eat, an’ 
a good place to sleep.” 

“ But they have to work mighty hard for it.” 

“An’ do you s’pose you’re cornin’ down here an’ 
earn a livin’ without havin’ to do anything ? By the 


g6 LAI?J?V HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

time you’d been here a month you’d find out whether 
that was true or not. When a feller has to hustle 
for himself he’s bound to work, ’cause he won’t find 
anybody else to do it for him, an’ it ain’t every day 
he has a job in the city.” 

“ But Sam Bartlett has.” 

“You mean he had one yesterday; but perhaps 
he’s been bounced by this time. I’ll tell you one 
thing for certain : he’s got to work as hard as ever 
he did on a farm if he counts on keepin’ his job, an’ 
spend about ten times as much as it would cost him 
to live in the country. I know what I’m talkin’ 
about, I do ! You fellers don’t want to waste any 
time lookin’ for work ’round here, but get back jest 
as quick as you know how.” 

“Yes, that’s it ! ” Ned exclaimed, as if he had but 
just fully realised their destitute condition. “ We’ve 
got to go back for a fact ; but how it’s goin’ to be 
done, now Uncle Eli has lost his money, beats me.” 

“ What’s the old man’s name ? Larry asked, 
suddenly. 

“ Eli Doak, an’ he’s a deacon of the First Baptist 
Church, in Canton,” 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 


97 


Got a big farm ? ” 

“There ain’t any up our way that can beat the 
Herdsdale,” Joe replied, proudly. 

“ Is he your father 1 ” 

“Yes, an’ he’s jest the same as Ned’s, too, though 
he’s only Ned’s uncle.” 

The conversation was interrupted at this point, as 
Deacon Doak paused in front of the doorway where 
his wife, who had been exhibiting every symptom of 
nervousness and alarm, greeted him with an exclama- 
tion of joy. 

“I began to be afraid, father, that in huntin’ for 
the boys you’d got lost yourself. Goodness knows 
I never want to come to this wicked city again so 
long as I live ! ” 

“After one experience like this, mother, I don’t 
calculate I shall hanker after anything of the kind 
myself. The boys didn’t stray so far but that I 
found ’em without much trouble, an’ we had what 
you might almost call a fuss with some of the 
unmannerly children who live down this way. If 
it hadn’t been for that little shaver who’s talkin’ 
with Joe, I declare for it, Mercy, I believe the 


98 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

youngsters of this city would actually have made 
me forget myself. I was cornered, with them baitin’ 
fne like you would a bull, till anger eenamost got the 
best of me. That little feller come up, bold as a 
lion, an’ drove off the whole crowd that I couldn’t do 
nothin’ with. Now I’m goin’ to hold on to him till 
we start for home. The way things have turned out 
it don’t look as if I knew quite so much about the 
city as I allowed I did.” 

But how are we to get to Canton, father ^ ” 

“I declare for it, Mercy, I haven’t had time yet 
to figger that out. We’ll jog along toward the 
depot, an’ try to work it in some way, if it so be 
we can.” 

At this moment Larry, who had been holding a 
whispered conversation with his newly made friends 
from the country, came forward as if half ashamed 
of himself for so doing, and winked violently with 
one eye while he made energetic gestures with his 
thumb. 

‘‘Bless my heart, father, that boy acts as if he 
had the St. Vitus dance. Is anything the matter 
with him ? ” 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 


99 


** ’Cordin’ to what I’ve seen of him to-day I 
shouldn’t say there was. He’s got more common 
sense in that frowsly head of his than the average 
run of grown men. I reckon he wants to tell me 
somethin’,” and the deacon advanced in obedience to 
the gestures. 

‘‘Look here, mister,” Larry said, in a hoarse 
whisper, as he glanced furtively over his shoulder to 
make certain neither Aunt Mercy nor Nellie could 
overhear the conversation, “ you’re in kind of a tight 
box about money, an’ no mistake.” 

“I reckon you’re right, my boy. Even if I am 
green I don’t need anybody to explain to me that 
I’m a stranger in a strange land, an’ broke at 
that.” 

“How much does it cost to get you an’ your 
fam’ly out to the farm in fair style 

“ Eighty-five cents apiece, an’ if I hadn’t been an 
old fool I’d have come down on the excursion train 
where the rates was cheaper, for one was run to-day ; 
but I’d heard so much ’bout folks buyin’ these ’ere 
excursion tickets, missin’ the cars when they wanted 

to go back, an’ havin’ to pay another fare, that I 

LofC. 


100 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


thought Fd be on the safe side, an’ this is the way 
it has turned out.” 

Eighty-five cents apiece, an’ there’s five of 
you. How much does that figger?” 

‘‘ Four dollars an’ a quarter.” 

“Well, see here, deacon, I ain’t what you might 
call a millionaire, but Fve got three dollars, an’ it 
won’t take me more’n five minutes to raise the rest 
from some of the fellers what are workin’ ’round 
here. They know Fll pay ’em back, so it won’t be a 
great job to gather in the cash. Now s’posen I do 
that, couldn’t you send me the money sometime 
next week.?” 

“Of course I could, my boy,” and in his sudden 
joy at thus finding what had seemed almost insur- 
mountable difficulties smoothed from his path, the 
deacon clasped both of Larry’s dirty hands. “Fd 
send it straight away Monday momin,’ an’ a quarter 
added to it for interest.” 

“ I don’t want anything added to it ; but you look 
like a square old man, even if you never was in the 
city before, an’ Fd like to help you out of the 
scrape.” 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 


lOI 


seems kind’er ridiculous for a man of my 
years to be borrowin’ money from a boy like you, 
who looks as if he hadn’t a cent to bless himself 
with ; but I’m in what you might call a pretty des- 
perate situation jest now, an’ willin’ to do most 
anything that’s honest.” 

‘‘You wait right here. I guess we can fix this 
thing up mighty quick.” 

Without stopping for a reply Larry hurried away, 
and the deacon stood gazing after him until Aunt 
Mercy, from her safe refuge in the doorway, called : 

“What has happened now, father.? I do hope 
there ain’t any more trouble.” 

“ Indeed there isn’t, mother ; but what’s happened 
is surprisin’. That ’ere ragged little chap, what don’t 
look as if he had a friend in the world, is goin’ to 
lend me money enough to buy tickets for Canton, 
an* has gone now to gather it up.” 

“ What .? ” Aunt Mercy literally screamed in as- 
tonishment, while Joe and Ned stepped nearer as if 
doubting whether they had heard correctly. 

“That’s a fact. He says he’s got three dollars 
an’ can borrow the rest, I’m almost ashamed to 


102 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


take money from a child like him ; but what am I 
to do if I don’t ? ” 

‘^You can pay him back as soon as ever you 
get to Canton.” 

“Of course I can, an’ that’s what I count on 
doin’ ; but at the same time it. won’t be takin’ any- 
thing away from the obligation I’m under to him. 
If an honest man is the noblest work of God, as 
they say, I don’t know how much higher up you 
ought to place a boy like that.” 

“It’s a pity he hadn’t better clothes, an’ didn’t 
keep his face clean,” Mrs. Doak said half to herself. 

“ I’ll admit it don’t look as if he’d been overly 
careful in sich matters ; but there’s no doubt about 
his heart bein’ all right. I wish I could help him as 
much as he’s goin’ to help me. I wouldn’t begrudge 
even a dollar in doin’ it.” 

“Why don’t you give him a chance to work at 
Herdsdale this summer } ” Joe asked, excitedly. 
“ He’s been tellin’ us that boys are fools to leave a 
farm for the sake of livin’ in the city, an’ says if he 
had a home in the country you couldn’t pull him 
away from it.” 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 


103 


“ Yes, I allow he may mean that ; but city boys 
ain’t any great shakes as workers,” the deacon said, 
cautiously. ‘‘They spend too much idle time to 
know the value of an hour.” 

“He says they have to work harder here than the 
boys do at home, else they’ll go hungry, an’ when 
Ned an’ I told him we wanted to get a job down 
here so’s to leave the farm, he jest as much as 
allowed we was crazy — says Sam Bartlett’s a 
bloomin’ idjut for cornin’ to this town.” 

“ That youngster is sound to the core ! ” the dea- 
con exclaimed, approvingly ; but it appeared as if he 
avoided the subject of inviting Larry to Herdsdale, 
for he immediately began discussing with Aunt 
Mercy the question of whether it was safe for them 
to remain and attempt to see some portion of the 
“ celebration,” or return home by the next train. 

Ten minutes later Larry returned, marching 
toward the visitors from Canton with a business- 
like air, and announcing the result of his efforts 
by saying, curtly: 

“She’s fixed, deacon, — it’s all right!” Then, 
turning to the boys, he added : “If you fellers 


104 


LARRY HUDSON AMBITION. 


want to see anything of the Fourth of July you’d 
better go up to the park. I allowed your father’d 
be willin’ to stand the treat even if he had been 
robbed, so I got more money than was needed for 
the tickets. My partner happened to be pretty well 
fixed, an’ let me have three dollars, if I’d pay him 
back next week.” 

“An’ you borrowed three whole dollars!” Joe 
exclaimed, in surprise. 

“Yes, an’ it ain’t sich a dreadful great pile but 
that Jake’ll get it back, no matter how things 
turn.” 

“ Fd like to go to the park,” Ned said, reflectively ; 
“but we counted on goin’ to see Sam Bartlett, to 
find out if he knew where we could get a job.” 

“ If that’s all you want to see him for you’d better 
keep away. Stay where you are till you’ve got some 
of the hayseed from under your collar, an’ then 
you’ll know what’s best to be done.” 

Larry spoke in such a confident tone, with the 
air of one who is thoroughly conversant with the 
subject, that Joe was convinced the wisest course 
would be to return to Herdsdale, and indicated 


A FRIEND IN NEED. 


105 


that he no longer wished to see Sam Bartlett, by 
saying : 

‘‘ I’m afraid father won’t want us to go anywhere 
except straight to the depot.” 

‘‘I’ll ’tend to that part of it,” Larry replied, 
decidedly, and motioning the deacon from Aunt 
Mercy’s side once more, he pressed into his hand 
a small roll of bills, as he whispered : 

“There’s five dollars, an’ now you’d better let 
me show you the way up to the park. There’s 
no call to go home before night, I don’t s’pose ? ” 

“I did think that the sooner we got out of this 
wicked city the better,” the deacon replied, thought- 
fully. 

“It strikes me you ought’er see what you can, 
now you’re here. I’ll take care of your crowd till the 
train goes, so you won’t get into any more scrapes. 
We’ll take the elevated road, an’ go right to the 
park. It won’t be sich a terrible walk from there 
down to Forty-second Street.” 

“When I left home you couldn’t have persuaded 
me to give myself up to the care of a boy no bigger 
than you are ; but, after what has happened, I guess 


io6 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


ril be safer in doin’ it than if I try to hustle ’round 
alone. It’ll cost considerable to ride in them cars, 
won’t it ^ ” 

I guess it won’t break you, if you’ve got the best 
farm in your section of the country, same as the kids 
say you have ; an’ seein’s how you come down here to 
celebrate, there’s no use cryin’ baby jest ’cause you 
lost a little money. Keep your upper lip stiff, an’ it 
won’t be a great while before you’ll forget what’s 
happened to-day.” 

*‘If I should live to the age of Methuselah I 
don’t think it would ever be possible for me to for- 
get this day’s carryin’s on, my boy. We’ll go to 
the park, an’ do jest as you tell us ’twixt now an’ the 
time the train leaves for Canton.” 


CHAPTER VI. 

‘‘MR. FOLSOM.’* 

Although Larry did not succeed in showing his 
friends from Canton very much of the celebration, he 
led them to many places of interest, and under his 
guidance the latter portion of their visit in New York 
was as pleasant as the forenoon had been disa- 
greeable. 

The deacon resolutely put from his mind, for the 
time being, all sorrow regarding the money he had 
lost, and entered into the amusements of the day 
with the zest of a boy, while Aunt Mercy, for whom 
Larry seemed to have conceived a sudden attachment, 
lost all fear of the “wicked city.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Doak were resting from the fatigue 
of sightseeing, having just come from the menagerie, 
and the boys and Nellie were watching the antics of 
the bears, when Aunt Mercy said to the deacon : 


% 


107 


io8 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


“That Larry seems to be a likely sort of a boy, 
father.” 

“Indeed he is,” the deacon replied, emphatically, 
“ an’ if he’s trained right I’ll answer for it he’ll be an 
honest man.” 

“ If he lives in this big city from hand to mouth, 
as it seems he’s doin’ now, there ain’t much chance of 
his gettin’ any very great amount of trainin’, father.” 

“ That’s a fact, an’ I believe I know what’s in 
your mind this minute, Mercy. You’re thinkin’ 
Herdsdale could support another boy, eh ” 

“ I was wonderin’ why we mightn’t take him home 
with us for a spell, an’ if he liked the farm work, 
an’ turned out to be as steady as he gives promise of 
bein’, why not let him stay ? You have to hire men, 
an’ it would be a charity that wouldn’t cost us a 
penny.” 

“It’s the responsibility, mother, that I’m thinkin’ 
about. If we took the boy it would be to make him 
one of the family, an’ then we’re answerable, so to 
speak, for his bringin’ up. I’d be willin’ to try him 
the rest of this season, an’ by fall we’d know what 
he amounted to.” 


FOLSOM. 


109 

“That’s all any reasonable person could ask for. 
It seems to me as if there was a sort of Providence in 
his bein’ thrown in our path the way he has been, 
an’ that we’ve had opened before us a chance to do 
good that shouldn’t be neglected.” 

“I reckon you’re right, Mercy. Let’s talk with 
the boy, an’ see how he takes to it,” and the deacon 
beckoned to Larry. 

“Ain’t gettin’ tired, are you?” Master Hudson 
asked as he approached. “There’s time enough to 
see a good many things between now an’ seven 
o’clock.” 

“I can’t rightly say I ain’t tired, ’cause mother 
an’ me have done more sightseein’ this afternoon 
than we ever did in the whole course of our lives 
before; but it’s pleasant to stay here restin’, an’ 
we ain’t goin’ away any sooner than was calcu- 
lated on. We want to talk to you a little, my 
boy.” 

“ Talk to me, eh ? Well, fire away.” 

“Joe tells me you said you’d rather live in the 
country than in the city ? ” 

“ Of course I should.” 


I lO 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


“ There’s a power of hard work on a farm, my 
boy, a power of hard work.” 

‘‘It can’t be a marker alongside of what it is in 
town, deacon. If you’d skinned ’round the streets 
in a snow-storm from mornin’ till night, tryin’ to earn 
money enough to buy breakfast, an’ crawled into a 
doorway ’long about midnight without havin’ found 
it, you’d say farm work was a snap.” 

“ Did you ever sleep in a doorway .? ” Aunt Mercy 
asked in surprise. 

“ Did I ever } Well, I should say I had, though 
the cops look after a feller sharper’n they used to, 
an’ it’s mighty hard work to sneak into such a place 
nowadays. Why, a good many times I’ve thought 
myself lucky to find a cart, though I’m livin’ pretty 
high jest now, an’ that’s a fact.” 

“It seems that you earn more’n it costs to keep 
you, else you wouldn’t have had three dollars on hand 
to lend me,” the deacon suggested. 

“Business has been good this week. It ’most 
always is jest before the Fourth. There’s a good 
many people goin’ off on the cars an’ don’t have time 
to shine their own boots, an’ then likely’s not they’ll 


MR. FOLSOM. 


Ill 


give you a chance to lug their grip to the depot, so 
take it one way and another a feller can pick up more 
money now than most any other time. It’s when we 
get a long spell of wet weather that the bootblacks 
fare slim, an’ have to snoop ’round lookin’ for some 
other kind of a job.” 

How long have you lived in this way, Larry } ” 
Mrs. Doak asked. 

Pretty much ever since I can remember. Father 
always boozed heavy — got drunk, you know, an’ 
there was a good many times when mother an’ me 
had it kind’er slim. I was only a little kid when she 
died, an’ since then I’ve picked up what I could 
get.” 

“Do you always expect to stay in this kind of 
business ? ” the deacon asked. 

“I should hope not.” 

“ Why don’t you get a job in a store ? ” 

“Well, you see, it don’t exactly pay. A feller 
has to be a howlin’ swell to do anything of that 
kind, an’ clothes cost a pile of money. I did think 
one spell of goin’ to sea, but Tom Delaney tried it 
last year, an’ when he got back an’ told his story, 


1 12 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

I didn’t want any of it. Some of the boys set up a 
newspaper stand, and have a chair for customers 
what want their boots blacked ; but there’s so many 
Italians at that kind of thing now that it’s pretty 
hard work to get a livin’. Something’ll turn up 
before long, I reckon, an’ I’ll find a better job than 
blackin’ boots. Say, will you look at that bloomin’ 
bear.^ Why don’t you come over here where you 
can see him ? ” 

“ I want to talk business with you a few minutes, 
Larry,” the deacon replied, as he detained the boy 
by taking hold of his arm. “Mother an’ me have 
been thinkin’ about offerin’ you a chance to go up 
on the farm for the balance of the season, an’ then if 
you like us, an’ we like you, perhaps there wouldn’t 
be anything to hinder your stayin’ till you could get 
some kind of an education, an’ was a little fore- 
handed when you struck out into the world agin.” 

“ Is there plenty of work up there for a boy like 
me.^” Larry asked, in a matter-of-fact tone not 
altogether pleasing to the deacon, who had expected 
a great display of gratitude. 

“Plenty of it, an’ perhaps a good deal more’n 


FOLSOM.^* 1 13 

you’d like. Farmers have to work hard for a dollar 
nowadays, an’ then scrimp an’ twist to save it.” 

<‘That part of it is all right,” Master Hudson 
replied, with a careless wave of the hand. If 
there’s a chance to earn a dollar, so’s I can pay 
my way, an’ you’ll put me on to it. I’ll promise to 
stick at the job as long’s anybody wants me. It 
ain’t any good for me to tell you that I’d like to 
go, ’cause a feller what wouldn’t jump at the chance 
to get sich a home as he’d have on a farm would 
be the bloomingest kind of a bloomin’ idjut. When 
would you want me ? ” 

“ What is there to prevent your goin’ with us 
to-night ? ” 

“Well, there’s that three dollars, you know, that 
I’ve got to ante up ’twixt now an’ next week.” 

“ Couldn’t you send it down to the boy you 
borrowed it of.^” 

“ I reckon I could if I told him it was cornin’.” 

“Then s’pose you leave us here, go down-town 
an’ ’tend to the business, an’ come back to the 
depot. I reckon I ain’t so terrible green but that 
I can find my way.” 


1 14 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

*‘An’ do you really want me to go with you, 
deacon, or are you jest doin’ this thing to kind’er 
square up for my lendin’ you money to go home ? ” 
Larry asked, earnestly. 

Deacon Doak appeared confused for an instant, 
and then, recovering himself as with an effort, 
replied : 

“Well, my boy. I’ll admit that when mother an* 
me first talked this thing over, it was kind of in the 
nature of tryin’ to pay back the good turn you’ve 
done us, but, after we’d considered the matter, it 
seemed as if it was our duty to lend a hand, if it so 
be you wanted one lent. I ain’t what you might call 
a rich man, Larry ; but I’ve got more of this world’s 
goods than some of my neighbours, an’ the time’s 
cornin’ when I’ll be called to account for the use 
of it. I don’t take any credit on myself for what 
I’m willin’ to do now, ’cause if you’d been a differ- 
ent kind of a boy I shouldn’t have thought of it ; 
but it seems as if what looks like a duty would be 
pleasant all ’round, an’ I can only say we’ll be 
glad to have you come to Herdsdale for the rest 
of the season. Then, as I said before, if you like 


FOLSOM. 1 15 

me, an’ we like you, there’s nothin’ to prevent your 
stayin’ till the time comes for you to go out into the 
world agin.” 

‘‘Well, say, deacon, you’re a Jim dandy, if you 
are green ! I don’t reckon you’d take any boy in 
who couldn’t earn his own way, so I’ll go, an’ be 
mighty glad of the chance. If I should ever forget 
how I’ve been knocked ’round here in town, an’ slip 
up on my work, jest kick me right out, that’s all. 
Now I’ll go down an’ see the boys, so’s to know 
how we can send the money. When shall I tell ’em 
to expect it ” 

“You can send it Monday, an’ they’ll get it 
Tuesday momin’.” 

“ All right, deacon ; take care of yourself goin’ 
down to the depot, an’ don’t get on to the wrong 
track. If any Mr. Folsoms come ’round, give ’em 
a pretty wide berth.” 

With this advice Larry hastened away to make his 
arrangements for the journey, and the deacon said, in 
a tone of disappointment : 

“ I counted on his bein’ more tickled at the chance 
of goin’ to Herdsdale ; but he seemed to look at it as 


I 1 6 LARRY HUDSON AMBITION 

an every-day occurrence. Perhaps we’ve been mis- 
taken, mother, in judgin’ him.” 

I don’t believe we have, father, an’ I’m not certain 
but that the way he accepted your offer is the true 
one. You’re allowin’ that the boy’ll pay his way in 
work, an’ he’s expectin’ to do so. It’s only a bargain 
between you, the same as if you was hirin’ a man, an’ 
we’re tryin’ to make ourselves believe we are doin’ a 
charitable deed when it can’t rightly be called that.” 

‘‘ Why not ? ” the deacon asked, in surprise. 

‘‘’Cause you’ve given him to understand that he 
must earn his way, an’ if he does that, it ain’t a 
question of his bein’ beholden to us.” 

“But, mother, we’re showin’ him the way to a 
good home.” 

“Yes, an’ makin’ him pay for it.” 

“ I thought you looked at the matter in the same 
light I did, Mercy.” 

“ So I did, father, to a certain degree ; but there’s 
no reason why we should try to deceive ourselves 
into believing that we’re doin’ a very charitable deed, 
an’ expect Larry to get down on his knees in grati- 
tude, when it isn’t so.” 


M/?. FOLSOM. 


1 17 

‘‘Well, well, have it your own way, mother, have 
it your own way. I allow, though, I could hire 
better hands on the Herdsdale than this city boy.” 

“I was only tryin’ to explain why I thought he 
didn’t show more gratitude, an’ why we shouldn’t 
expect it of him, father. You’ve done a good deed, 
there’s no question about that, in givin’ him a chance 
to go with us. Now let’s go over an’ look at the bear 
he told about.” 

Perhaps the deacon himself was surprised when, 
after remaining in the park until the day had nearly 
come to an end, he succeeded in leading his family 
to the Grand Central Depot by the most direct 
course, and he congratulated himself by saying to 
Aunt Mercy : 

“ It wouldn’t take me such a dreadful long while 
to get used to city ways, for I’m learnin’ fast. There 
ain’t a man in this world could come down here any 
straighter’n I’ve done, an’ I didn’t ask a single 
question, except of that policeman down there by 
the gates.” 

Larry was already at the station when the visitors 
from Canton arrived ; but so decidedly changed in 


Il8 LARRY HUDSON^S AMBITION. 

appearance that Joe and Ned could not repress an 
exclamation of astonishment. 

His face had been scoured until it was literally pol- 
ished. His hair was combed smoothly, and held in 
place by such an amount of water that it was even 
yet trickling down his neck, while a well-worn derby 
hat, several sizes too large, covered the back of his 
head ; a pair of trousers, which had evidently been 
fashioned for a large man, were rolled up at the 
bottom and turned down at the top until, in his 
opinion at least, they fitted him perfectly. A red 
and white checked shirt, evidently new, and a coat 
so small that it seemed positive the garment would 
be rent in twain if he brought his hands together 
suddenly in front of him, completed the wardrobe 
which had effected such a change in Master 
Hudson’s appearance. 

“Yes, I’m rigged out in great shape,” he said, as 
if in reply to the steady gaze of the Doak family. 
“ I didn’t want to shame any of you, an’ some of 
the fellers was willin’ to help me out, so’s I could 
kind’er flash up ’cordin’ to the luck I’ve struck. 
The shirt’s new; cost twenty-six cents. The hat 


MR. FOLSOM. 


II9 

I found in an ash-barrel last week ; the coat Sim 
Downing give me ’cause it was gettin’ a little too 
small for him, an’ the trousers I picked up over on 
East Broadway from a feller that I’ve been kind’er 
tendin’ out on while he was sick. Swell, ain’t it ” 
and Larry turned slowly around that the visitors 
from Canton might have ample opportunity to see 
him in all his gorgeousness. 

I’m glad you’ve washed your face,” Aunt Mercy 
said, desirous of complimenting him upon his appear- 
ance, and not able to do so honestly in regard to the 
costume. 

“Yes, I had a rub down, though there wasn’t 
any great need of it ; but Sim Downing said country 
folks are terrible scared of a little dirt, an’ I’d 
better take a wash before I started. I fixed it 
so we can send the money back, an’ the fellers 
are pretty nigh wild about my luck in runnin’ 
across you, deacon. If you wanted a hundred boys 
on your farm, you’d scare ’em up now in less’n ten 
minutes.” 

“ I didn’t know but what you’d think, after talkin’ 
it over among your friends, that you was gettin’ the 


120 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


smallest end of a bad bargain,” the deacon replied, 
with a smile. 

‘^Not much. I know a good thing when I see 
it, an’ if solid work is goin’ to keep me at Herdsdale 
you bet I’ll stay. Say, here’s the eighty-five cents 
.to pay for my ticket, ’cause of course I ain’t allowin’ 
you to spend anything on my account. Hello ! I 
wonder what Slick Jake’s doin’ up here.? It ain’t 
so very long since he was sent to Sing Sing.” 

‘*Who did you say.?” the deacon asked, with mild 
curiosity. 

‘‘Why, Slick Jake — that duck over there by the 
ticket office,” and as Larry pointed to the opposite 
side of the waiting-room Deacon Doak started up 
with a cry of mingled anger and surprise. 

“That’s the chap what called himself Folsom! 
He’s the one who stole my money an’ watch I ” 

“ Hold on I ” and Larry seized the old gentleman 
by the arm, holding him back with so firm a grasp 
that he could not free himself. “You’ll get into a 
reg’lar row by tacklin’ him here, ’cause of course 
the whole gang is with him ! ” 

“ But I don’t count on settin’ still like a lamb led 


MR. FOLSOM. 


121 


to the slaughter, an’ lettin’ him walk off with my 
property ! ” the deacon cried as he tried in vain to 
free himself from the boy’s detaining grasp. 

“He sha’n’t get away with it, an’ I ain’t goin’ 
to let you make trouble for yourself. He’s here 
with three or four pardners, an’ before you’d 
more’n show yourself they’d put up some kind of 
a job that would make you wish you hadn’t said a 
word.” 

“ But he sha’n’t be allowed to carry away my 
property ! ” the farmer panted. 

“ That part of it is all right, deacon ; but you 
must let me tackle Slick Jake, ’cause I know him.” 

“ But I’m the one he robbed.” 

“That’s a fact, an’ I’m the one what’ll get the 
stuff back. He can’t put up much of a job on me ; 
but I want some of the fellers ’round before I brace 
him. Keep your eye on the duck, while I hunt for 
a couple of newsboys what work up this way.” 

“ Do as Larry says, father,” Mrs. Doak whispered, 
nervously. “ He knows the ways of the city better 
than you do, an’ no matter how much the man stole, 
you can’t afford to have it said that the deacon of 


122 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION, 


the First Baptist Church of Canton was fightin* in 
a city depot.” 

While the good woman was doing her best to 
soothe the angry owner of Herdsdale, Larry had left 
the waiting-room, and Aunt Mercy was still try- 
ing to pacify the deacon when Master Hudson re- 
turned, followed by three boys. 

Without waiting to speak with his new employer, 
Larry lounged carelessly across the room, and ac- 
costed the alleged Mr. Folsom in the most friendly 
manner. 

How’s business, Jake ? ” 

Hello, kid, what are you doin’ togged out in this 
style ? ” 

“I’m goin’ into the country to live vdth that 
farmer from Canton what you went through this 
forenoon.” 

“ Mr. Folsom ” scowled, and looked quickly around 
the room. 

“Yes, he’s here, an’ would have been fool enough 
to tackle you to get back the boodle, but I stopped 
him. Now see here, Jake, I want you to give up that 
stuff.” 



“ AUNT MERCY WAS STILL TRYING TO PACIFY THE DEACON 




■ » 


MR. FOLSOM. 


123 


“ Oh, you do, eh ? Better keep your tongue 
between your teeth, my bantam, or I’ll make you sing 
a different tune ! Don’t think you can bully me — ” 

“ I ain’t tryin’ to ; but I’m goin’ to have that stuff, 
or — No, you won’t give me the slip,” Larry added 
as “ Mr. Folsom ” moved toward the door. Close 
up, fellers, an’ yell the best you know how if he tries 
to break away.” 

The man stopped suddenly as Master Hudson’s 
friends obeyed the command by stepping directly in 
front of him, and a subdued noise on the opposite 
side of the room told that Aunt Mercy was trying to 
forcibly detain the deacon from joining the throng. 

‘‘We’ve got you dead to rights, Jake, an’ you’d 
better give up, or the cops will soon invite you to go 
with ’em down-town,” Larry whispered as he clutched 
“ Mr. Folsom ” by the arm. 

“ What do you want } ” 

“ You know well enough. Give it up, an’ there 
won’t be any row.” 

The fellow understood that he was beaten. It 
would not be possible to rid himself of four boys of 
the streets as readily as he might have done in case 


124 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION, 


it was the deacon he had to deal with, and after 
standing irresolutely a few seconds, glaring around 
as if meditating escape, he said, angrily : 
m come down if you’ll go outside.” 

“ You’ll do it right here ; there ain’t much hayseed 
under our collars ! Come down with the wallet an' 
the watch, an’ we’ll clear out.” 

Again “ Mr. Folsom ” looked around him. Several 
of the waiting passengers were gazing curiously at 
him and the boys, which was sufficient evidence that 
he could not hope to escape by force, and thrusting 
his hand into his pocket he drew forth a roll of 
bills. 

“ You know I haven’t got the jay’s stuff about me. 
He had less than a tenner in his calf-skin, an’ this 
will square it,” he said, thrusting a note into Larry’s 
hand. 

“But here’s only ten dollars,” Master Hudson 
replied in a business-like tone. “What about the 
watch } ” 

“ It was N. G.” 

“ All the same you’ve got to flash it up.” 

“ You know I can’t,” “ Mr. Folsom ” muttered, with 


^MR. FOLSOM.'^ 125 

a scowl which told how Larry would be treated if the 
meeting had taken place in some more secluded spot. 

‘‘ I reckon five dollars will fix it.” 

Two or three curious ones had moved nearer to 
ascertain what demand the boys were making, and the 
bunco man saw that his partners were taking 
advantage of the opportunity to leave the building. 

Here’s the money,” he snarled, hurriedly placing 
another note in Larry’s hands as he moved toward 
the door. 

Let him go, fellers,” Master Hudson cried, as his 
friends would have barred the way, and ** Mr. 
Folsom ” suddenly disappeared from view. 

By this time the deacon had succeeded in freeing 
himself from Aunt Mercy’s detaining grasp, and as 
he advanced Larry handed him the money, asking as 
he did so : 

Will this square it, deacon } ” 

‘‘Did you make that scoundrel pay you fifteen 
dollars.?” the good man cried in astonishment as he 
gazed at the notes and then at Larry and his friends. 

“That’s the way it looks. Docs it make you 
square ? ” 


126 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


“Yes, an’ a good deal more. The watch wasn’t 
worth a cent over three dollars, an’ I didn’t have but 
eight dollars left after gettin’ through the eatin’- 
house.” 

“ Then s’posen you give these fellers somethin’ for 
standin’ by me, an’ the rest we’ll call profit.” 

The deacon drew from his pocket a few pennies, 
and was counting them when Master Hudson 
exclaimed : 

“ I reckon you haven’t got enough there. A 
quarter for each feller won’t be any too much, an’ 
when that’s been paid your Fourth of July won’t 
stand you in so very much, even if Slick Jake did get 
the best of you.” 

Deacon Doak hesitated an instant before parting 
with what seemed to him like a very large amount 
of money, and those who had aided in the task of 
reducing the alleged Mr. Folsom to submission 
received the reward of their labours as if such 
matters were of every-day occurrence. 

“ They don’t seem to make very much account of 
gettin’ twenty-five cents for lookin’ at a man,” the 
deacon said, with a long-drawn sigh of relief, as 


^^MR. FOLSOM.'^ 127 

Larry’s friends left the station. Up our way 
we’re glad to work hard all day for a dollar.” 

‘‘It’s a good deal the same down here,” Master 
Hudson replied, as he tried in vain to brush a large 
stain from the sleeve of his tightly fitting coat. 
<‘The chances are that it’ll be quite a spell before 
they run across another snap, an’ seein’s how 
you’ve come out of the game considerably ahead, 
there ain’t much chance for kickin’.” 

They’re welcome to the money, so far as I’m 
concerned,” Deacon Doak said, quickly, ‘‘an’ I don’t 
begrudge it to ’em ; but I couldn’t help thinkin’ that 
it would be better if they realised jest how many 
cents there are in a dollar.” 

“I’ll trust them fellers to find out that much, 
’cause it’s a case of goin’ hungry if they make any 
mistake. Look here, deacon, there’s my partner 
that’s come up to see me off ; if we pay him the 
money to-night I won’t have to bother about sendin’ 
it Monday, an’ you’re fixed all right now.” 

“ Surely ; I’d eanermost forgot about it, an’ 
little wonder, after seein’ what city boys can do. 
You settle with him, an’ if it so be that he’d like to 


128 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


come up to Herdsdale some Saturday afternoon, to 
see how you’re gettin’ on, he’ll be looked after if for 
no other reason than that he was willin’ to help me 
out’er what would have been a bad scrape except for 
havin’ run afoul of you.” 

Larry did as he was bidden, and, after a short 
consultation with Joe Doak, led his partner to where 
Aunt Mercy was sitting, saying as he did so : 

<‘The deacon told me Tim might slide up to your 
farm some day, but I thought he’d better hear what 
you had to say about it. Tim’s my partner, an’ if 
the folks up your way want to hire any more farmers, 
he’s right on deck for a job.” 

Aunt Mercy assured the boys that Tim would be 
made welcome at Herdsdale, and before it was pos- 
sible to say very much more, one of the railroad 
officials announced, in a loud voice, that the train for 
Canton would leave the station in five minutes. 

Deacon Doak quickened the motions of his family 
by declaring that there was no more time “ for fool- 
ishness,” and in a few seconds the sightseers from 
Herdsdale, and he who was to visit the farm, were in 
their seats, the day’s pleasuring at an end. 


CHAPTER VII. 


AT HERDSDALE. 

The younger members of Deacon Doak’s family 
were tired and sleepy when the train arrived at Can- 
ton, and gave little attention to what might be going 
on around them ; but Larry Hudson was very much 
awake as he stepped from the cars to the station 
platform. 

From such an apology for a home as he had 
known in the city, to a farm, was a decided as well 
as a sudden change, and he was eager to get a gen- 
eral idea of his new abode at the earliest possible 
moment. 

Joe and Ned remained with Nellie and her mother 
while the deacon went for his horse, which had been 
left in Tisdale Dean’s stable, and Larry insisted on 
accompanying the good man, saying, when the latter 
suggested that he “ might as well stay with the rest 
of the family till Major was harnessed : ” 


129 


130 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

“ I reckon I’ll go with you, deacon, ’cause if I’ve 
come up here to be a farmer, the sooner I get into 
trainin’ the better. I’d like to see how you harness 
a horse, so’s I can do it myself when the right time 
comes.” 

The deacon made no reply to this remark until he 
and Larry had arrived at Mr. Dean’s stable, and then 
said, as if speaking to himself : 

‘‘I allowed you’d move around right lively while 
everything was new ; but the question is whether you’ll 
be as ready for work after it becomes an old story.” 

“ If I ain’t you can fix things all right,” Larry 
replied, cheerily. 

** How ? ” and the deacon turned that he might the 
better see his new assistant’s face. 

“ By firin’ me right out. I ain’t countin’ on livin’ 
up this way unless I can earn my board an’ a little 
more, so when that can’t be done is the time to 
wind up the trade.” 

To this sage remark Deacon Doak made no reply, 
but busied himself with putting the harness on 
Major, his new assistant watching carefully every 
move he made. 


AT HERDSDALE. 


13I 

“That’s all right,” Larry said, confidently, when 
the horse was ready. “ I can do that much whenever 
you call on me.” 

“If it wasn’t quite so late, an’ I didn’t feel 
so tired. I’d give you the chance to show your 
smartness.” 

“Yank that stuff right off; it won’t take me 
more’n a jiffy to put it back, an’ you can rest your- 
self over there on the hay while I’m workin’.” 

It appeared very much as if the deacon was eager 
to prove to this boy from the city that he was over- 
confident, for in a twinkling old Major was stripped 
once more, and the harness thrown carelessly on the 
floor. 

m 

Larry hesitated only so long as was necessary 
to sort out the different portions of harness, and 
then, rather awkwardly, as might have been expected, 
he made Major ready without the slightest mistake. 

The deacon remained silent, probably because he 
did not believe it would he ^ood policy to praise the 
lad for performing such a simple task, and Larry 
clambered into the wagon at the heels of his new 
employer. 


132 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


“ Say, this is great, ain’t it ? ” he cried when 
Major had finally been persuaded to set out in the 
direction of the railroad station. 

What’s great ? ” 

‘‘Why, this ridin’ in a wagon. I never did any- 
thing of the kind before, unless you count holdin’ on 
to the end of one an’ takin’ the chances of feelin’ the 
driver’s whip.” 

“ Never had a ride before ” the deacon cried, in 
amazement. 

“No, sir, an’ I never got into the steam cars till 
I come up here with you. Fellers in the city don’t 
have any sich snap as country chaps. I’m goin’ to 
have the highest kind of a time this summer ! ” 

“It won’t be a great while before you find out 
that weedin’ onions or hoein’ potatoes is bad for your 
health,” the deacon muttered, as if already he was 
beginning to regret having invited the stranger to 
Herdsdale. 

“ When I do you can send me back,” Larry 
replied, with a laugh, and then he showed his appre- 
ciation of the surroundings by whistling softly what 
sounded like a veritable hymn of thanksgiving. 


AT HERDSDALE. 


133 

When Major came to a full stop at the station 
platform, where the very sleepy Doak family awaited 
his arrival, Master Hudson took it upon himself to 
assist Mrs. Doak and Nellie into the wagon, and 
then, lest he might incommode the others, clambered 
into the rear of the vehicle. 

“ There’s plenty of room on this seat,” the deacon 
cried, impatiently, and Larry replied, contentedly : 

‘‘I’m all right here. I can see everything, an’ 
that’s what I count on doin’.” 

Deacon Doak urged Major forward, and, after 
some show of hesitation, the old horse ambled toward 
home at a leisurely pace, while Joe, Ned, and Nellie 
gave themselves up to slumber ; but Master Hudson, 
wide-awake and on the alert for anything in the way 
of novelty, listened ecstatically to the croaking of 
the frogs as he drank in the sweet odours with which 
the night breeze was laden. 

It was Larry who aided his employer in stabling 
the horse, locking the barn doors, and inspecting the 
stock to make certain Ezra Littlefield’s “folks” had 
lived up to their promises; and when this was done 
he devoted a few moments to making friends with 


134 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


Jethro, who had been sniffing at his heels since he 
leaped out of the wagon. 

Then Aunt Mercy called peremptorily for him to 
come into the house, and, to his great surprise, he 
saw, on entering, that the family were seated near 
about a small table in the capacious kitchen as if 
awaiting his coming. 

Larry looked around in astonishment, which was 
not abated when the deacon motioned for him to 
take a chair near Joe and Ned, and his eyes opened 
wide with astonishment when the good man read 
a chapter from the big Bible that lay open on the 
table. 

Although unaccustomed to anything of the kind. 
Master Hudson understood full well that it was not 
proper for him to make any remarks, and he was 
vainly trying to decide as to the meaning of this 
late reading, when suddenly all the family knelt 
beside the chairs they had been occupying. 

Awkwardly, and after some delay, Larry followed 
the example set him, and there was an expression 
of mystification on his face when the deacon fer- 
vently thanked God for having spared the lives of 


AT HERDSDALE, 


135 


those who had been exposed to so many and such 
great dangers during the day just passed. Then the 
good man prayed for the “ stranger that was within 
their gates/' and after a time Larry came to under- 
stand that he was the one referred to, a fact which 
caused it to appear to him as if he was making 
altogether too much trouble for those whom he had, 
with but little sacrifice to himself, led out of the 
wilderness of New York City. 

When the evening devotions had come to an end, 
and Larry was looking around shamefacedly, as if 
fancying that the family might blame him as the 
innocent cause of prolonging the prayer. Aunt 
Mercy asked if the three boys could not contrive 
to sleep in one bed during that night, promising 
to make up another next day. 

“I can sleep anywhere,” Larry said, promptly. 
“ There’s a mighty good chance out in the barn ; 
it knocks everything I ever saw, even the night 
when Tim Jones an’ I paid fifteen cents for a bed 
over on the Bowery. S ’posin’ I go out there } ” 

I hope you don’t think we’d let you sleep in the 
barn when we’ve beds enough and to spare ! ” Aunt 


136 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

Mercy cried, as if horrified by the idea. so 

tired with traipsin’ back an’ forth in that great, 
wicked city that I don’t feel as if I could make 
any extra work for myself to-night.” 

I’m willin’ to go wherever’ll suit you best, though 
the hay looked mighty nice,” Larry made haste to 
answer, and Joe impatiently urged him toward the 
back stairway, saying, as he did so : 

“There’s no use talkin’ about where we’ll sleep, 
’cause all of us can pile into one bed, an’ if we 
don’t get there pretty soon it’ll be time to get up 
again.” 

Then Aunt Mercy kissed the three lads good- 
night, and there was a suspicious moisture in Larry’s 
eyes as he followed Joe and Ned, for never did he 
remember of receiving a good-night kiss before. 

“An’ you fellers wanted to get a job so’s you 
could stay in the city ! ” Master Hudson exclaimed, 
as he surveyed the cleanly, neatly kept room into 
which his companions led him. “ With sich a 
chance as you’ve got here, I wonder how some 
of the places I’ve lived in would strike you.^ I 
haven’t been knocked ’round quite so hard as a 


A T HERDSDALE. 1 3 7 

good many I know, an’ yet I never struck so soft 
a snap as your barn, without countin’ this ’ere swell 
place.” 

Joe and Ned were too sleepy to give much heed 
to the remarks of the delighted lad. As soon as 
possible they crept into bed, leaving Master Hudson 
looking out of the window upon the well-kept fields 
and carefully tended rows of vegetables as if the 
scene was one of marvellous loveliness. 

His companions had been in dreamland a long 
while before he was ready to take his place beside 
them, and, as he turned unwillingly from the window 
to make ready for bed, he muttered to himself : 

“Say, this is the softest snap I was ever up 
against ! If it’s only a case of workin’ hard I’ll 
stick to it mighty close ; but I’d like to know if they 
go in reg’larly for prayin’, or if it was only ’cause I 
was here.?” 

Then he crept softly in by the side of Joe, and 
before the question of family worship had been 
settled in his mind, he was sleeping soundly. 

Next morning the new member of the Doak fam- 
ily was down-stairs before the deacon had time to 


138 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

summon the boys to their morning tasks, and the 
good man gazed at him in perplexity. 

‘‘ Couldn’t you sleep three in a bed } ” he asked, 
and Larry replied, emphatically : 

“You bet I could! That bed knocks anything 
I ever saw ; a feller without any eyes at all would 
have to sleep there.” 

“Then how does it happen that you’re up so 
early ^ ” 

“ I generally turn out ’bout daylight ; but if you 
don’t like to have fellers snoopin’ ’round. I’ll hug 
the bed a little closer to-morrow mornin’.” 

“No, no,” the deacon replied, quickly. “I want 
to see boys stirrin’ with the birds ; but Joe an’ Ned 
never come down-stairs till they’ve been called two 
or three times, an’ it surprised me to see you so 
soon.” 

“If you’ve got anything for them to do I’ll tend 
to it.” 

“ They must look after their own chores,” and the 
deacon, opening the door which led to the chambers, 
called peremptorily for the boys to “ stir themselves.” 
Then he said to Larry, “You can go out with me to 


AT HERDSDALE. 1 39 

feed the stock, an* then our work will be about over 
for the day. It’s on week-day mornin’s that I count 
on seein’ you move around. We at Herdsdale don’t 
do anything more than is necessary on Sunday.” 

Larry followed his employer, watching every 
movement, and asking such questions as told that it 
was his intention to master this portion of a farmer’s 
work at the earliest possible moment. 

Jethro, who had guarded the out-buildings during 
the night, greeted the boy from the city as if he had 
been an old acquaintance, and Larry decided that he 
would get on famously with the dog and the calves ; 
but he was rather doubtful as to the temper of the 
cows and the pigs. 

The deacon had brought from the house two large 
tin pails which glistened like silver in the morning 
sun, and Master Hudson fancied he would have 
the opportunity to carry them back to the house 
filled with water ; therefore he was considerably 
surprised at his seeing his employer take them 
into that portion of the barn where the cows were 
stabled. 

He gazed curiously as the deacon took from one 


140 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


of the huge cross-beams an odd-looking, three-legged 
stool, and an exclamation of astonishment burst from 
his lips when Joe’s father began the task of milking. 

Well, that beats anything I ever saw ! ” he ex- 
claimed. Say, that must be fun ! ” 

Josey an’ Ned don’t look at it in that light,” the 
deacon replied, grimly. 

“Then they must be chumps. Say, would you 
let me try a hand at that I’ll agree to ’tend to 
this part of the work if you’ll give me a chance.” 

“ It isn’t well to make rash promises, Larry, for 
there may not be so much fun in it after you’ve 
milked twice a day for a few weeks. Take hold, an’ 
let’s see what you can do.” 

Master Hudson accepted the invitation imme- 
diately; but to his great surprise no milk came, 
although, as it seemed to him, he did exactly as the 
deacon had done. 

Then it was that the owner of Herdsdale gave him 
a few timely hints, and after Larry had acted upon 
them, to the evident displeasure of the cow, he 
finally succeeded in obtaining the desired result. 

“You’ll get the hang of it after a spell; but 


AT HERDSDALE. 


I4I 

seein’s how we’re a little behindhand this mornin’, 
I reckon it’ll be best for me to finish the job. The 
boys will soon be ready to drive the cows to pasture, 
an’ you can go with them.” 

Larry performed his full share in doing the 
chores ” that morning, and when he set out for the 
pasture with Joe and Ned, the meek-eyed cows trav- 
elling gravely in advance without apparent need of 
guidance, the city boy said, with a long-drawn sigh 
of satisfaction : 

Say, I’ve heard Tim Crowley’s brother tell ’bout 
what a pile of fun country jays had ; but I never 
thought it could come up to this ! It beats any- 
thing you can run across in town ! ” 

^‘Wait till to-morrow night,” Joe said, with an air 
of exceeding wisdom. I reckon father will set us 
to weedin’ the onion bed, an* if you find any fun in 
that I’m mistaken.” 

‘‘ There ought to be some hard work about farmin’ 
to make up for all the fun a feller can have out here, 
an’ I’m willin ’ — Look there ! Say, is that a 
bear ? ” and Larry pointed toward the stone wall, 
near where could be seen a grizzled brown animal 


142 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


scurrying along as if bent on hiding himself without 
loss of time. 

Joe and Ned immediately gave way to boisterous 
mirth, and Larry’s face flushed as he understood 
that his had been a ridiculous question. 

‘‘Well, but you’re green!” Ned managed to say 
after a time. “Who ever heard of takin’ a wood- 
chuck for a bear.?” 

“ Oh, that’s only a woodchuck, eh ” and Larry 
did his best to look exceeding wise ; but his com- 
panions were afflicted with another fit of laugh- 
ter, and before they had recovered he said, almost 
sharply : 

“Say, Tim Jones told me I’d show up in the 
country worse’ n a jay does in the tity ; but I allowed 
it wasn’t so. I wish you fellers wouldn’t say any- 
thing ’bout this when you get home, ’cause I don’t 
want your folks to think I’m a reg’lar fool.” 

Not until the two lads understood that their new 
friend might be seriously provoked if they continued 
to see something very comical in the mistake he had 
made, did they straighten their faces and promise 
that the incident should be kept a secret, after which 


AT HERDSDALE. 1 43 

Larry once more gave himself up wholly to the 
novelty of his surroundings. 

If anything had been needed to complete Master 
Hudson’s satisfaction with life in the country, the 
tramp to and from the pasture would have been 
sufficient. More than once he assured his com- 
panions that ‘‘the city wasn’t in it at all,” and 
declared that it would be impossible to find work 
enough at Herdsdale to make up for the “ high old 
times ” a fellow might enjoy, even though he should 
do no more than trudge back and forth between the 
barn and the pasture. 

When Aunt Mercy finally called the boys to 
breakfast the visitor’s appetite was decidedly sharp- 
ened, and the tempting array of eatables did not 
serve to diminish it. He strove to repress any sign 
of impatience while waiting to be served, however, 
and kept his eyes fixed upon a plate heaped high 
with smoking hot biscuit, until the voice of the 
deacon raised in prayer caused him to start as if in 
alarm. 

Because the family had knelt the evening pre- 
vious, he fancied it would be proper to do so now, 


144 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


and had half risen from his chair before heeding the 
fact that all remained seated, with downcast eyes. 

Larry’s cheeks were flaming red as he leaned back 
in his chair, feeling decidedly uncomfortable in mind, 
and not until the meal was nearly at an end did he 
recover his composure sufficiently to understand that 
Nellie was asking him if he intended to take another 
lesson in milking. 

‘‘I’m countin’ on gettin* the hang of the work 
before to-morrow night,” he replied, decidedly, and 
not another word did he speak until Deacon Doak 
gave a signal that the meal had come to an end by 
pushing his chair back in order that the cat might 
leap on his knee. 

Then Larry whispered to Joe: 

“ Come outdoors a minute ; I want to ask you 
something.” 

Joe led the way to the porch, where one might be 
completely hidden by the leaves of the honeysuckle, 
and, after satisfying himself that there was no one 
near enough to overhear the words, Larry whispered : 

“ Say, I wish you’d post me up on when it’s time 
to pray ” 


AT HERDSDALE. 1 45 

It was plain to be seen that Joe did not under- 
stand the request, and Master Hudson made it more 
plain by saying, in a tone of sorrow : 

“ Last night I got along all right, ’cause I could 
see that somethin’ was up; but this mornin’ the 
deacon took me by surprise, an’ I come mighty near 
makin’ a guy of myself.” 

Joe explained that his father asked a blessing on 
every meal, and that the family joined in evening 
devotions just before going to bed, a statement 
which seemed to put Larry more at ease, although 
he concluded the interview by asking, imploringly : 

‘‘Say, till I get used to it, I wish you’d kind’er 
keep your eye on me, so’s I won’t show up like a 
bloomin’ idjut. You see I count on stayin’ quite a 
spell on this ’ere farm, an’ I don’t want to get the 
grand bounce in the start jest ’cause I ain’t up to 
this kind of business. Besides, I’d feel mighty tough 
if I should show up like a chump after your mother 
had reg’larly kissed me.” 

“I’ll see to it that there won’t be any trouble,” 
Joe replied, carelessly. “Of course you can get 
along all right at meetin’ ? ” 


146 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION, 

“ What kind of a meetin’ ? ” 

“ A Sunday one, of course ; where there’s a minis- 
ter, you know.” 

“ Do you tend on them things } ” 

“ We have to, every Sunday, an’ Wednesday night 
to the prayer-meetin’.” 

Larry turned away in silence, gazing across the 
yard toward the barn, and Joe, believing that his 
friend had gained all the information necessary, went 
into the house again, leaving the boy from the city 
alone on the porch. 

Half an hour later, when Nellie went out to ask 
the new member of the family if he would like to 
study the Sunday-school lesson. Master Hudson was 
not to be seen, nor did he put in an appearance until 
the deacon was harnessing Major preparatory to 
driving to church. 

“ Hello, where did you go to so quickly } ” 

“ Nowhere, except down by the brook.” 

“Did you have any idea of fishin’ on Sunday.^” 
Deacon Doak asked, sharply. 

“ I haven’t got any hooks ; but I reckon there’s 
plenty of fish.” 


AT HERDSDALE. 


147 

“Joe an’ Ned are expected to keep close in the 
house Sundays, except when they go to church or 
to pasture, an’ you’ll have to come into line with 
them.” 

“ Are you findin’ fault ’cause I went down by the 
brook ? ” Larry asked, in surprise. 

“ It’s better for boys to keep out of temptation, 
an’ you can afford to stay in the house one day in 
the week.” 

By this time Larry was doing his share toward 
harnessing Major, and he made no reply to the 
deacon, but there came on his face an expression 
of mingled surprise and disappointment in sharp 
contrast to the look of content which he had worn 
on returning from the pasture. 

In obedience to the deacon’s command, he went 
into the kitchen to wash his face and hands before 
taking his place in the wagon, and during the ride 
which followed he took no part in the conversation ; 
but his silence might have been caused by a desire 
to drink in all the beauties of nature which could be 
seen on every hand. 

*Larry entered the church awkwardly, very much 


148 LARRY HUDSON^S AMBITION. 

as if afraid to step on the carpet which covered the 
aisle, and all the while he kept his eyes fixed on Joe 
that he might copy the latter’s movements. 

When the day had come to an end he went with 
the boys to drive the cows home from pasture, and 
after the patient animals were in the barn took his 
second lesson in milking ; but all the while he re- 
mained silent, save when spoken to, thereby causing 
Joe and Ned much surprise, particularly when he 
failed to reply after they explained their scheme for 
catching squirrels. 

It was when. Aunt Mercy having kissed them 
good-night, the boys were alone in the chamber 
where were now two beds, that Joe insisted on know- 
ing the reason for the change which had come over 
this boy from the city who had been so enraptured 
with country scenes. 

“ You act as if you’d got mad about somethin’, an* 
I know Nell thinks you’re stuffy, ’cause she tried to 
show you her books, an’ you didn’t even turn your 
head.” 

“ I didn’t know she said anything to me,” Larry 
replied, quickly, looking decidedly disturbed in mind. 


AT HERDSDALE. 


149 


“ That’s ’cause you was mad ’bout somethin’.” 

^‘But I haven’t been on my ear, an’ that’s a 
fact.” 

“ Then what makes you hump yourself, an’ act as 
if you didn’t want anybody to look your way 1 ” 

It wasn’t ’cause I was mad, Joe ; but I’m be- 
ginnin’ to believe that I won’t be able to hang on 
here a great while.” 

*<I knew you’d soon get sick gf it; but didn’t 
count on your backin’ down before havin’ a chance 
to see what the work was like,” Ned said, gleefully. 

**You must be a softy if you think I’m sick of 
livin’ out here at Herdsdale. I’d like to stay all my 
life ; but don’t believe it can be done.” 

“Why not, if father’s willin’ to give you the 
chance .J*” Joe asked, hotly. 

“It’s jest like this: I’m outer my class; tryin’ to 
trot where I don’t belong, jest as Tim Jones said. 
Somehow I can’t get the hang of how you people 
carry sail, an’ I’ll be gettin’ into a worse scrape than 
when I went down to the brook this mornin’.” 

Then Larry explained how he had offended the 
deacon by taking a walk, instead of remaining in the 


150 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

house, and when he had come to an end, Joe said, 
soothingly : 

“That’s nothin’. You’ll soon get the run of 
things, an’ won’t give father another chance to find 
fault. You see he’s the deacon of the meetin’, an’ 
thinks we boys must walk straighter’n the other 
fellers do. Wait till next Sunday, an’ see how you 
get along. Ned an’ I’ll keep you posted, an’ in a 
little while it’ll be the same as if you’d always lived 
here. Didn’t you go to meetin’ in the city ? ” 

“Folks wouldn’t have us kids in there if we’d 
wanted to go, an’ then again trade is always good 
Sunday forenoons, so we couldn’t. Your mother’s 
awful nice,” he added, abruptly. 

“ That’s where you’re right ! ” Ned replied, em- 
phatically. 

“It seems as though country jays come nearer 
bein’ square than anybody else, an’ I’m ’fraid I’m 
outclassed,” Larry said, with a sigh, after which he 
crept into bed and refused to speak again that night. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


THE ‘‘GREEN HAND.’' 

There was no opportunity for the boy from the 
city to get down-stairs next morning before Deacon 
Doak summoned his young assistants. 

Larry awakened before the day had fairly dawned, 
and was trying to decide whether it would be well to 
run the risk of disturbing the family by going out 
to the barn, when the owner of Herdsdale cried, 
impatiently : 

“ If you boys stay in bed much longer there won’t be 
any need of tryin’ to get even half a day’s work done.” 

Joe replied in a sleepy tone that they would come 
down immediately, and Larry dressed himself hur- 
riedly, determined that the farmer should have no 
reason to complain of him on the score of tardiness. 

Two or three minutes later Deacon Doak started 
in surprise as his “ green hand ” came into the 
kitchen, and began vigorously to make his toilet. 


152 LARRY HUDSON AMBITION 

You’ve been kind’er spry in gettin’ down, eh ? ” 
the old gentleman asked, gazing at the lad as if in 
him he saw something very odd. 

“I’d come down before if it hadn’t been that I 
was afraid it might make trouble. I don’t want to 
spoil anybody’s sleep, an’ am willin’ to stay in bed 
till you are ready to get up.” 

“ I’ll be bound you’re williri to stay in bed,” the 
farmer said, grimly. “Don’t be afeared of cornin’ 
down too early, an’ the sooner you’re at work 
mornin’s, the better I’ll be satisfied.” 

“I’ve always had to turn out as soon as it was 
light, an’ it won’t come very hard on me here,” 
Larry replied, cheerily. “Will I look after the 
milkin’ this mornin ’ } ” 

“You may be practisin’ while I’m feedin’ the 
stock, an’ then I’ll finish the job. Look sharp, or 
the cows will kick you over.” 

Master Hudson took the glistening tin pails from 
the table and went rapidly toward the barn, saying 
to himself : 

“He ain’t goin’ to knock me out of gear by talkin’ 
as if he was ready to fight. I’ve got the chance of 


THE “ GREEN HAND: 


153 


my life, an’ if I don’t stay on this farm till I can see 
my way clear to buyin’ one for myself, it’ll be 
because somebody else is willin’ to pay me more 
wages. I’m the green hand now, but it won’t be for 
long.” 

Half an hour later, after the horses and cattle had 
been fed, and before either Joe or Ned had put in an 
appearance, the deacon entered the ‘Hie-up” to per- 
form his morning task of milking. 

One of the pails was already full to the brim, 
and Larry was rapidly filling the other, doing the 
work almost as well as the farmer himself could 
have done. 

The owner of Herdsdale stood on the threshold 
as if petrified with astonishment during a full minute 
or more, Larry meanwhile working industriously, 
and, perhaps, enjoying the good man’s surprise. 

** It strikes me that you got the knack of it pretty 
quick, my boy,” he finally said, and Larry replied, in 
a tone of satisfaction : 

“ I’ve been turnin’ this thing over in my mind, an’ 
it struck me that a feller what couldn’t milk hadn’t 
any business on a farm, so the sooner I was broke in 


154 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


the better. Shall I keep on, or will you take a 
hand.?” 

“I reckon you may as well finish, now you’ve 
got so far along,” and the deacon walked slowly 
away, as if in deep thought, while the green hand 
said to himself, with a chuckle of satisfaction : 

I may be mighty green about things on a farm ; 
but if they’ll show me half a chance it won’t be a 
great while that they can give me points.” 

Warned by his previous experience. Master Hud- 
son made no mistake when he was summoned to the 
breakfast-table, but waited quietly until the blessing 
had been asked, after which he made a hearty and 
very satisfactory meal. 

Nellie found considerable amusement in laughing 
at Joe and Ned because while they were in bed the 
green hand had milked all the cows, and Aunt Mercy 
suggested that Larry be excused from going to the 
pasture, since it could be plainly seen that his ser- 
vices were too valuable to be devoted to such trifling 
tasks as driving cattle. 

That journey to and from the pasture, when the 
dewdrops hung like diamonds on every blade of 

A 

» • 

\ 


THE » GREEN HAND.' 


155 


grass, and the birds were singing their morning 
hymns, was something the lad from the city would 
have been unwilling to forego, and he hurried to the 
barnyard immediately the morning meal was brought 
to an end. 

There could be no loitering by the way on this 
day, however, for the work of the week was to be 
begun ; but Larry enjoyed the walk fully, even 
though Joe warned him that when they returned to 
the farm the task of weeding onions must be begun. 

‘‘I’d rather do anything in the world than that 
kind of work,” Ned said, disconsolately. “ Hayin’ is 
hard enough ; but I’m always sorry when it’s 
finished, because then I know we must begin the 
weedin’.” 

“ I’ll be glad to find out what it’s like,” Larry said, 
quickly, and Joe replied, warningly : 

“Wait till you’ve been at it half an hour. Then 
your bones will ache, an’ before noon you’ll wish 
yourself back to the city.” 

“ I want to tackle the hardest jobs first, an’ then 
it won’t take so long to find out if a farmer’s life is 
what I’ve been needin’.” 


156 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

His companions were positive he would soon 
regret ever having come to Herdsdale, and before 
they were at the farmhouse again he had come to 
believe that there must be something truly terrible 
in store for him. 

In order to make certain that his new assistant 
should know exactly how he wanted the work done, 
Deacon Doak accompanied the boys to the onion 
bed, and after the good man had given his instruc- 
tions Larry was greatly relieved in mind. 

True the work was tedious, and well-calculated to 
make a boy’s back ache ; but the knowledge that 
while he was labouring, good, wholesome food was 
being prepared for him, and that at night he would 
have a cleanly, rest-inviting bed, caused Larry to 
believe that young people on a farm were to be 
envied even during onion-weeding time. 

When night came, it was the boy from the city 
who insisted that he was not so tired but that he 
could go alone after the cows, and although Joe and 
Ned believed it their duty to accompany him, they 
complained bitterly of weariness. 

Deacon Doak would have attended to the milking. 


THE GREEN HAND. 1 57 

but Larry urged that he be allowed to continue what 
had been so well begun in the morning, and when 
the family retired that night the owner of Herds- 
dale said to his wife : 

I reckon it’s only another case of a new broom 
sweepin’ clean ; but I’m bound to say that our green 
hand is the most willin’ an’ industrious worker I 
ever saw. He has done twice as much as Joe an’ 
Ned put together, an’ yet won’t allow that he’s any 
more tired than usual. With three sich boys as 
him. I’d be able to run this ’ere farm without hirin’ 
a man.” 

‘‘ Then instead of doin’ a favour by bringin’ him 
out here, you’re the one who is reapin’ the benefit 
of a kindly act.” 

“We won’t say too much about it on the start, 
mother, for I hold to it that he’s bound to get over 
this industrious fit before long.” 

In this prediction, however, Deacon Doak made 
a mistake. 

When Saturday came Larry Hudson did even 
more work than on Monday, when the “ new broom ” 
was supposed to be doing its best sweeping, and 


158 LARRY HUDSON AMBITION. 

certain it was that he appeared better contented each 
day with a farmer’s life. 

The onion bed was more than half weeded, and 
never before had the work been done by Joe and 
Ned in less than four weeks. In addition to this, 
Larry had milked all the cows night and morning, 
thereby relieving the deacon of a disagreeable task. 

He never missed an opportunity to assist Mrs. 
Doak or Nellie, and all the while appeared to be 
having a royal good time, instead of working *‘his 
fingers to the bone,” as Joe declared was the case 
with himself. 

The deacon might have been, and probably was 
a hard taskmaster; but he prided himself on being 
an honest man, and while the boys were waiting 
on this Saturday night for supper to be made ready, 
the owner of Herdsdale held a conversation on 
business matters with the boy he had brought 
from the city. 

“When I reckoned on doin’ you a good turn by 
bringin’ you out here, Larry, it was with the idee 
that you could jest about earn your board an’ clothes, 
i providin’ there wasn’t too big a streak of laziness 


THE GREEN HAND.' 


159 


in your body. As things have been runnin’ this 
week, Fve made up my mind that you’re worth more, 
an’ it’s my way to pay all honest debts.” 

** You don’t owe me anything, deacon,” Larry 
said, quickly, as if fearing he was about to be dis- 
charged. “If you’re satisfied with what I’m doin’, 
it’s enough, till I get a little better posted, an’ then, 
of course, I’d like to be paid wages ; but it’s worth 
a good bit to have a home like this.” 

“ It suits you, eh ” 

“You bet it does, an’ Aunt Mercy is the best 
woman I ever saw, by long odds.” 

“I’m a good deal of your way of thinkin’,” the 
deacon replied, with a smile ; “ but that ain’t here 
nor there in the bargain we’ve got to make. If 
you stick it out as you’ve begun, an’ I shall hold 
back the wages till I’m certain on that p’int, I allow 
to give you eight dollars a month an’ your board 
from this on till after harvestin’, when, of course, 
the price will have to be cut down. Then you’ll 
go to school, an’ can’t be counted on as bein’ worth 
very much more’n what you eat.” 

“ If you say I’m earnin’ that much, all right ; I 


i6o 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


ain’t goin’ to kick at takin’ it, ’cause I’ve got to 
hustle for myself, an’ it’ll be quite a spell before I 
scrape up what’ll be needed.” 

What have you got in your mind } ” 

‘‘ I’m goin’ to buy a farm some day, an’ it’ll take 
a lot of money to do that.” 

To this assertion the deacon made no reply, per- 
haps because just at that moment Aunt Mercy an- 
nounced that supper was ready, and the appetites of 
all had been so sharpened by the exercise of the day 
that there was no disposition to linger after hearing 
the summons. 

That he was considered as being worth to the 
owner of Herdsdale eight dollars a month more than 
his board was a surprise, and a very pleasing one to 
Larry ; but before bedtime came Aunt Mercy gave 
him additional reasons for believing that life on a 
farm was ‘‘a reg’lar snap.” 

‘‘I’ve been makin’ over a suit of Joseph’s, an’ I 
believe it will fit you, Larry,” she said as she brought 
from the sitting-room an armful of garments. “You 
need somethin’ a little extra to wear to meetin’, an’ 
here’s what will make you look quite spruce.” 


THE “ GREEN HAND: 


l6l 


Coat, trousers, vest, a white shirt, and stockings, 
the boy from the city saw in one quick glance, and 
there was an odd expression on his face as he took 
the articles one by one from Aunt Mercy’s arms. 

‘‘It’s the first reg’lar clothes I ever had, an’ I 
wish I could pay you for them,” he said, in a low 
tone. 

“ You’ve done that already, my dear child, if I’d 
counted my work as bein’ worth anything, in the 
steps you’ve saved me from day to day. I only wish 
they were new right out of the store.” 

“ I’d rather have ’em this way,” Larry said, shyly, 
and then he ran at full speed up-stairs, where, half an 
hour later, Joe found him looking out of the window 
as if intently watching something. 

“Why don’t you come down into the sitting- 
room ” Master Doak asked, sharply. 

“ I was waitin’ up here to think.” 

“ What’er you thinkin’ of ^ ” 

“ How lucky it was I come along last Saturday 
when your father was gettin’ kind’er mixed up.” 

Joe failed to understand his friend’s meaning ; but 
Larry would give no further explanation, and during 


i 62 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


the remainder of the evening the boy from the city 
was unusually silent and thoughtful. 

Two weeks more passed, and Deacon Doak had no 
reason to complain because the green hand failed of 
sustaining his reputation for industry. Joe and Ned 
had come to believe that they had good cause for 
complaint because of Larry’s disposition to work 
when there was no absolute necessity for so doing. 

As a matter of fact they could not well be idle 
while he was employed, and thus, so it seemed to 
them, he had become a harsher taskmaster than the 
deacon himself. Both had believed that there would 
be great sport for them in showing the city boy their 
favorite haunts in the woods, introducing him to the 
village lads, and tempting him to display his ignorance 
of ordinary matters pertaining to farm life ; but all 
these schemes had come to naught simply because 
he was so exceedingly foolish as to work when it 
was possible to remain idle. 

Nor were they backward about reproaching him 
for his lack of good sense, as viewed from theii 
standpoint ; but to all the arguments they advanced 
he had the same reply. 


THE » GREEN HAND.' 


163 

It’s all right for you fellers to go off on a good 
time, ’cause you live here ; but I’m hired to do all 
the work I can, an’ if I let up now an’ then the 
deacon will think he’s payin’ too much. You’ve got 
a mighty nice home — ” 

It’s yours, too.” 

** Yes, jest so long as your father thinks I earn the 
right to stay, an’ I ain’t goin’ to take any chances of 
bein’ fired. You fellers would feel the same way if 
you’d been knocked ’round the same as I have.” 

It is not to be supposed that Larry did nothing but 
work during these days at Herdsdale. The walk to 
and from the pasture never ceased to be delightful to 
him. Two or three times each week he and the other 
boys drove to the village, either to carry a load of 
produce or bring back household supplies, and these 
excursions, when he was allowed to drive old Major, 
were decidedly pleasing to Larry. 

During the last week in J uly, when the boys were 
hoeing the potatoes. Deacon Doak received a mes- 
sage stating that his sister, who lived in Connecti- 
cut, was very ill, and urging him to come to her at 


once. 


1 64 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

A second message, two hours later, told that no 
time could be lost if he would see her alive, and the 
deacon decided to set out on the train which left 
Canton early that same evening. 

There was no time in which to hire a man to take 
charge of the farm, and the good deacon said to his 
wife, as he was making ready for the journey : 

“You an’ the boys will have to do the best you 
can, mother. The potatoes are to be hoed, the early 
squash sent to the city, and the cabbages looked 
after. I can depend on Larry to keep Joe an’ Ned 
at work; but you must stand in my place. Don’t 
let the boys fool ’round with the horses, an’ see that 
the cattle are looked after.” 

The deacon did not cease giving directions as to 
how the work should be done, until he was in the 
wagon and Joe had started Major stationward. 
Even then he continued on the same subject ; but, 
as he frankly confessed, without much hope his in- 
structions would be understood or followed. 

There were two members of the family at Herds- 
dale who felt the full weight of the responsibilities 
which rested upon them, and these were Aunt Mercy 


THE ^^GREEJ\r HAND:^ 1 65 

and Larry. The former was eager to fill her hus- 
band’s place as the head of the household, and 
the latter fearful lest he should be found lacking 
now there was no one to direct his movements. 

On the first night, after Joe had come back from 
the station, and Major was properly cared for, Larry 
made a personal inspection of the barns and out- 
buildings to assure himself all the animals were 
sheltered, and while he attended to this duty Aunt 
Mercy was examining the fastenings on the windows 
of the house, as if she feared that the departure of 
the deacon would be the signal for all the dissolute 
characters in the country to rendezvous at Herdsdale. 

It was Aunt Mercy who conducted the evening 
devotions, and at an unusually early hour. When 
they were come to an end she sent the boys to bed 
without delay, saying, as she kissed them good night, 
according to her usual custom : 

‘‘You must be up bright an’ early, children, in 
order to show your father that you’re as ready to 
work in his absence as when he is at hand to keep 
you moving. I do hope I’ll waken as early as 
usual.” 


1 66 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

‘‘I’ll be down-stairs as soon as it’s light,” Larry 
said, cheerily. “ I haven’t overslept myself one 
mornin’ since I came, an’ don’t count on makin’ sich 
a mistake now.” 

“I’m dependin’ on you, my boy, more than on Joe 
an’ Ned,” Aunt Mercy said, quietly, and the lad 
from the city was very proud as he went to his 
chamber. 

It was when they first got into bed that Joe and 
Ned usually made their plans for sport, or hatched 
schemes for trapping squirrels ; but on this night 
they had nothing to say regarding the possibilities of 
the morrow. Both appeared timid, as if the mere 
fact that the deacon was absent betokened danger, 
and, after all three of the boys were in bed, Joe 
began telling stories of a gruesome kind. 

He reminded Ned of the mischief committed on 
the Littlefield farm by tramps ; gave a detailed 
account of how the village store had been robbed 
two years before, and repeated a story told by some 
of the loafers at the station, in which robbers and 
tramps figured prominently. 

Finally Ned begged him to be silent, declaring 


THE GREEN HANDr 1 6 / 

there was no good reason for frightening a fellow 
out of his wits, and Larry stoutly insisted that they 
were in no more danger now the deacon was absent 
than when he had been at home. 

‘‘ But if tramps should come around an’ find out 
that father was away, they’d cut up dreadful,” 
Master Doak declared, and by thus speaking abso- 
lutely frightened himself. 

“They wouldn’t cut up so very rough if I was 
here,” Larry replied, stoutly. “I wouldn’t stand 
any nonsense from them.” 

“You might have to, if there was a good many 
of ’em.” 

“ I’d contrive to serve some of the gang out before 
they cut up very high.” 

“ When they went to Mr. Littlefield’s, he an’ two 
men were on the place ; but the hoboes made a big 
row jest the same.” 

“ Have you seen any near here lately } ” 

“ There were four at the station when father an’ I 
got there, an’ that’s what set me thinkin’ about ’em.” 

“They’ll stick to the railroad tracks, instead of 
cornin’ out this \vay,” Larry replied, confidently, and 


i68 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


then advising Joe to go to sleep, he made his prep- 
arations for the journey into Dreamland. 

In a comparatively short time Joe and Ned had 
forgotten their fears in sleep ; but Larry’s eyes 
obstinately remained open. He could not put from 
his mind the fact that four tramps had been seen 
at the station, and it was not impossible that they 
would learn of Deacon Doak’s absence from home. 
A chance word from one of the loungers, when the 
owner of Herdsdale took his departure, would be 
sufficient to give them the information, and he knew 
full well, from stories he had heard in the city, to 
what lengths these disreputable wanderers would 
go when a favourable opportunity for mischief 
offered. 

The more he thought of the possibilities, the 
greater became his anxiety, and the rustling of the 
leaves outside came to his ears as if they were spoken 
words. 

If anything should happen while the deacon was 
away. I’d get the bounce mighty quick,” he said to 
himself, ‘‘ an’ then what would become of my chances 
for a farm ? ” 


THE ^^GREEAT HANDr 1 69 

All in vain did he try to banish these newly 
aroused fears ; they grew stronger each moment, 
until he could no longer resist the inclination to 
get up. 

At the end of the passage which led past his 
chamber was a window overlooking the main barn, 
and to this he crept softly, hardly daring to breathe, 
lest he should awaken Mrs. Doak or Nellie, who 
slept in the room below. 

There was no moon, but the light of the stars 
was sufficient to admit of his distinguishing objects 
a short distance away. 

He saw Jethro running to and fro quickly, as if 
scenting some danger ; but no other moving thing 
came within his line of vision. 

He was on the point of going back to his room, 
angry with himself for having allowed Joe’s stories 
to make him nervous, when the dog suddenly 
bounded toward the cow stables, barking furiously, 
and an instant later it seemed positive he could 
distinguish the voices of men. 


CHAPTER IX. 

UNWELCOME VISITORS. 

Larry’s first impulse was to awaken Aunt Mercy, 
and he had already started toward the stairway when 
he realised that as yet he had no proof that strangers 
were lurking around the premises. 

A woodchuck or a hedgehog might have caused 
the outcry from Jethro, and if he should arouse the 
household because of any such trifling matter, Joe 
and Ned would have a perfect right, not only to 
make sport of his eagerness to find danger, but to 
call him a coward. 

While one might have counted twenty he stood 
silent and motionless peering out of the window, and 
all the while it seemed to him that he could dis- 
tinguish the sound of human voices. 

Jethro continued to bark angrily, and finally gave 
vent to a yelp of pain, which told that some person 
170 


i 


UNWELCOME VISITORS. I /I 

had Struck him, or that he was getting the worst of 
an encounter with an animal. 

** I know some one is foolin’ ’round the bam,” the 
boy said, as if trying to stimulate his courage by the 
sound of his own voice. “It wouldn’t be queer if 
those tramps Joe saw had found out that the deacon 
was away, and were here for mischief ; but yet I 
don’t dare to call the family, for fear I’m makin’ a 
mistake.” 

Another yelp from Jethro, and Larry could no 
longer hesitate. 

Creeping softly back to the chamber, he partially 
dressed himself without awakening his room-mates, 
and then crept down the kitchen stairs, doing his 
best to move noiselessly, but accompanied by the 
creaking of boards at every step. 

Ordinarily he might have gone up and down a 
dozen times, as it seemed to him, without the light- 
est sound ; but now, when he was so eager to move 
silently, it was as if every timber xU the building 
called out against his venturing forth. 

“ If Aunt Mercy don’t waken it’ll be because she 
sleeps mighty sound,” he said to himself, as the 


1^2 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

kitchen door creaked loudly on its hinges when he 
pushed it open. “ I reckon I’m makin’ a big fool of 
myself ; but I couldn’t stay in bed without knowin’ 
for certain what the trouble is with Jethro.” 

Before venturing to draw the bolts of the outer 
door, he paused a moment to listen. 

Not a sound could be heard, save the barking of 
the dog, and he had good reason to believe the other 
inmates of the farmhouse were wrapped in slumber, 
or had been frightened into speechlessness by the 
noise he was making. 

He went into the open air, closing the door softly 
behind him, and then, giving no heed to the possible 
danger he might encounter, walked swiftly toward 
the barn. 

Before having traversed more than half the dis- 
tance between the kitchen and the cow stable, he 
knew beyond a peradventure that strangers were 
on the farm, for at such brief intervals as Jethro 
ceased his outcries, it was possible to hear the voices 
of men. 

Larry was not absolutely frightened, but he had 
sufficient sense to understand that it might not be 


UNWELCOME VISITORS. 1 73 

prudent to advance boldly until after learning who 
the visitors were. 

A moment later he saw the tiny flame of a match, 
and then came the odour of tobacco, telling that 
some one had lighted a pipe. 

‘*It’s the tramps, for certain, an’ we’re likely to 
have a rough time of it before mornin’ if there are 
four of ’em. I wonder if I’d better run down to the 
Littlefield farm, or try my hand alone.” 

In the city, with nothing but his own body to 
defend. Master Hudson would not have felt any 
fear, for, at the last extremity, he could have taken 
to his heels; but now it was his duty to defend 
the farm and the family, which placed him at a 
disadvantage. 

He made a wide detour around the currant-bushes 
in order to gain the cow stables under cover, thus 
spending several moments, after which he had a 
fairly good view of the unwelcome visitors. 

Four rough-looking men were standing near the 
main door of the building, defending themselves 
against the attacks of Jethro with such sticks or 
clubs as had been close at hand. The dog was 


174 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBIT/ON. 

too wise to advance near enough so that they might 
strike him a blow, but darted back and forth, bark- 
ing loudly, as if believing that some of the family 
would hear and understand his calls for assistance. 

One or another of the men struck at him when 
ever he came within reach, and all tried their best 
to frighten the faithful sentinel away by throwing 
rocks or missiles of any kind. 

A fragment of wood hit him on the head, and he 
gave vent to a yelp of pain, but without ceasing his 
efforts to drive them away. 

Larry crouched behind the bushes, trying to 
decide just what it was best for him to do, and so 
near was he to the intruders that he heard distinctly 
all they said. 

We’ve got to kill that cur, or he’ll arouse the 
neighbourhood,” one of them cried, angrily. 

‘‘It won’t do much harm if the deacon’s family 
is disturbed ; we know there are only three boys an’ 
two women at home, an’ I reckon sich a gang as 
that won’t hinder us from usin’ the barn to-night.” 

“ Are you sure there ain’t any one else near } ” 

“ Didn’t that jay at the depot tell us the nearest 


UNWELCOME VISITORS. 


175 

house was well on to half a mile away ? Can’t you 
kill that cur ? ” 

‘‘ He won’t give me a chance. Why don’t we go 
inside, an’ let him bark ? ” 

‘‘I’m tryin’ to open the door. The duffer what 
owns this place keeps his doors locked in great 
shape. Give me a club, an’ I’ll soon have these 
staples out.” 

It was not possible for Larry to see distinctly 
what the tramps were doing, owing to the dark- 
ness ; but he understood from the noise that the 
fastenings of the hasp which held the padlock were 
being drawn, and, a moment later, the four men 
entered the barn, closing the door behind them. 

Jethro continued to run back and forth, barking 
furiously, probably wondering why no one came to 
his assistance ; but to his outcries the tramps appar- 
ently gave no heed, and Larry was wholly at a loss 
to decide exactly what was his duty under all the 
circumstances. 

Even though the disagreeable visitors had evi- 
dently come there for the sole purpose of finding 
a comfortable place in which to sleep, there was 


iy6 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

much danger to be apprehended. At least one of 
them held a lighted pipe between his teeth, and 
during the short time Larry had lived at Herdsdale 
he had been told often of the danger in thus carry- 
ing amid the hay anything which might start a fire. 
Besides, that very night had Joe told of farm build- 
ings only a few miles away which were set on fire by 
tramps who indulged in the luxury of smoking after 
having gone to bed on the hay-mow. 

Such visitors as had come to Herdsdale were 
prone to do mischief simply for mischief’s sake, 
and, when morning came, they would milk the 
cows, carry away the eggs, and perhaps a chicken 
or two, even though they did nothing worse. 

‘*It won’t do to let ’em stay there, that’s cer- 
tain ! ” Larry said to himself, after revolving the 
matter thoroughly in his mind ; ** but how am I to 
drive the crowd away } ” 

By this time Jethro, probably despairing of being 
able to arouse the family, ceased to bark, and was 
running to and fro, as if trying to learn why no 
attention had been paid to his calls for help. 

While so doing he discovered Larry, and imme- 


UNWELCOME VISITORS. 1/7 

diately began leaping up on him by way of explaining 
what had been happening. 

“I know all about it, old man,” Master Hudson 
whispered, as he caressed the dog; **hut it puzzles 
me to make out how I’m goih’ to get rid of ’em. 
S’posen we go back an’ tell Aunt Mercy. She 
ought to know what it’s best for us to do.” 

Since Jethro made no reply, Larry could do noth- 
ing less than carry into execution his own proposi- 
tion, and a few moments later was knocking at the 
door of Aunt Mercy’s room. 

‘‘What is it?” she asked, in a tremulous voice, 
after the boy had tapped softly several times. 

“ I’m awful sorry to make any fuss for you, Aunt 
Mercy ; but four tramps are out in the cow stable, 
an’ I don’t dare to leave ’em there.” 

“Tramps in the cow stable!” the good woman 
cried, shrilly. “Mercy on us, Larry, what shall 
we do ? ” 

“That’s jest what I don’t know, else I wouldn’t 
have wakened you.” 

“But how do you know they are there?” she 
asked, while by the sounds which came from the 


178 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

chamber, Master Hudson knew that she was 
dressing. 

I heard the dog barkin’, an’ went to see what 
was goin’ on.” 

“Did you dare go where they were.?” she 
asked, tremulously, and from the tone of her 
voice one would have said she was even more 
alarmed by the knowledge that Larry had been so 
venturesome than by the startling information he 
brought. 

“ Where are you going, mother .? ” Larry heard 
Nellie ask, and Mrs. Doak replied, helplessly : 

“ I don’t know, child, I don’t know.” 

“ Then why are you dressing .? ” 

“ Do you think I could stay in bed while there are 
tramps in the cow stable .? ” 

“ But what can you do .? ” 

“I’m sure I can’t say, Nellie; but it’s certain I 
wouldn’t trust myself here. Larry,” she added, 
raising her voice, and speaking in the tone of one 
who asks a great favour, “ what shall we do .? ” 

“ S’posen I run down to the Littlefield farm an’ 
ask some of the men to come up here .? ” 


UNWELCOME VISITORS. 1 79 

wouldn’t have you leave this house for the 
world. Ain’t there some way of scarin’ them ? ” 

Even in the midst of his alarm Larry could not 
refrain from smiling at the idea that it might be pos- 
sible for him to frighten four men who, most likely, 
were accustomed to terrorising others. 

‘‘ I’ll try it, if you say the word ; but there ain’t 
much chance it will do any good.” 

Aunt Mercy remained silent several seconds, and 
then asked, helplessly : 

Where are Joe and Ned?” 

Up-stairs, asleep.” 

Why don’t you call ’em ? ” 

I never thought of it. Aunt Mercy, an’, besides, 
what could they do ? ” 

“I don’t know, Larry, I don’t know; but it does 
seem as if the family should be together at such a 
terrible time.” 

Master Hudson ran up-stairs swiftly, and shook 
Joe and Ned vigorously as he said, in a low tone : 

‘‘There are four tramps in the cow stable, an’ 
Aunt Mercy wants you to come down-stairs.” 

The boys would have questioned Larry as to how 


i8o 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


he gained such information, but he did not give them 
the opportunity. 

“ Come down as quick as ever you can,” he cried, 
and then descended the stairs as rapidly as possible. 

By this time both Aunt Mercy and Nellie, partially 
dressed, were in the kitchen, and the good woman 
was on the point of lighting a lamp as Larry entered. 

I wouldn’t do that ! ” he said, hurriedly. 

“ Why not } ” and Aunt Mercy dropped the half- 
burnt match without heed to the fact that it might 
blacken her well-polished floor. 

“ If the tramps think we’ve found out where they 
are, there may be worse trouble. By havin’ a light 
here they’d know you was out of bed.” 

^^I’m so flustered that I really don’t know what 
I’m about. If only the deacon was here ! ” 

Aunt Mercy was standing near the stove, clasping 
and unclasping her fingers, as one does in perplexity ; 
but as the door leading up-stairs was opened sud- 
denly, she sprang back with a shrill cry of alarm, 
only to laugh hysterically as she saw Joe and Ned, 
who had come in answer to her summons. 

The boys held in their hands the toy pistols pur- 


UNWELCOME VISITORS. l8l 

chased in New York, but despite this warlike array, 
were trembling with fear. 

What are you countin’ on doin’ with them 
things } ” Larry asked, sharply, as he pointed at the 
imitation weapons. 

‘‘ It’s all we’ve got, an’ perhaps the tramps will 
think they’re the real things,” Joe explained, his 
teeth literally chattering with fear. 

I don’t believe it’ll pay to try any such game as 
that. We ought’er go after the folks at the Little- 
field farm. You two can stay here, an’ I’ll be down 
there in a jiffy.” 

Larry Hudson,” Aunt Mercy said, solemnly, 
‘‘ you’re the only one we’ve got to depend on in this 
terrible time, an’ I never will consent to your leavin’ 
us.” 

But the tramps must be run out of the barn, 
Aunt Mercy, ’cause one of ’em was smokin’, an’ 
might set the hay on fire. It won’t do to stay 
here like a lot of chickens till they’ve done all the 
mischief they can. Besides, we’re bound to have 
a row with ’em before mornin’, unless you’re willin’ 
they should milk the cows and steal the hens.” 


i 82 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


‘‘Do anything you think best, Larry; but don’t 
even so much as think of leavin’ us alone,” the good 
woman cried, in an agony of terror. 

“I ain’t likely to do much while I stay here,” 
Larry muttered, taking good care, however, that 
Aunt Mercy did not hear him. 

Neither Joe nor Ned were in a condition to give 
any advice. They were even more terrified than 
Nellie, and stood near the stairway door clutching 
the wooden pistols as if their very lives depended 
upon keeping a firm hold of the toys. 

Larry looked around helplessly. He believed the 
proper course to pursue would be to arouse the 
Littlefields ; but this was out of the question in 
the face of Aunt Mercy’s injunctions, and yet all 
looked to him for help. 

“I’ll run down behind the currant-bushes an’ see 
what they are doing,” he said, going toward the 
door ; but before he could open it Nellie had her arms 
around his body. 

“ They’ll kill you ! ” she said, tearfully. “ They’ll 
kill you ! Stay here with us ! ” 

Larry remained silent an instant, making no effort 


UNWELCOME VIS/TOES. 1 83 

to shake off the girl’s detaining grasp, and as he 
stood there the thought came into his mind again 
that while they remained idle the farm buildings 
might be burned, in which case it seemed as if 
he would be the one upon whom Deacon Doak’s 
reproaches might fall. 

If ever he was to own a farm, now had come the 
time to show himself a man, for once he had been 
turned away from Herdsdale for neglecting his duty, 
it would be almost impossible to find another situ- 
ation where he could earn eight dollars a month. 

** See here. Aunt Mercy,” he said, imploringly. 
“ It won’t do for me to hang ’round here while 
there’s so much to be done. The deacon never’d 
let me stay on this place another day if the tramps 
burned the barn, an’ I’m bound to drive ’em out 
somehow. Them duffers can’t get the best of me, 
for I’ve run away from better fellers than they ever 
dared to be, time an’ time again.” 

‘‘But what can a boy like you do against four 
wicked men ? ” the good woman asked with a sob, 
for now she was crying softly. 

“ That’s what I don’t know now, an’ I never will 


1 84 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

while I stay here with you. Til promise not to 
go to Littlefield’s; but I must sneak down to the 
barn.” 

Then, hurriedly, as if afraid Aunt Mercy might 
insist upon his remaining, Larry disengaged himself 
from Nellie’s grasp and ran out of the house, Jethro 
meeting him on the broad stone door-step. 

Holding the dog by the collar, the lad made his 
way hurriedly out through the garden until he was 
once more opposite the door of the cow stable, but 
screened from view by the currant-bushes. 

He could hear no more than a faint murmuring, 
which he knew to be caused by the tramps in con- 
versation, and there was nothing unusual to be 
seen. 

The unwelcome visitors were undoubtedly lying 
on the hay, and this would have been a trifling 
matter if there was no possibility of their lighting 
matches while inside the building. 

“I wouldn’t wonder if tramps had slept on the 
deacon’s hay a good many times, without his knowin* 
it, an’ perhaps these fellers won’t do any damage; 
but then again perhaps they may. If he was home 


UNWELCOME VIS/TOES. 1 85 

I wouldn’t fret myself very much over it ; but with 
things jest as they are, I’m likely to get into trouble 
because I don’t make ’em clear out.” 

Having thus spoken to himself, Larry rubbed his 
nose reflectively, for how it might be possible for 
him to drive the men away, when there was no one 
to assist, was a difficult problem to solve. 

Surely it was of little avail for him to sit behind 
the currant-bushes speculating upon the difficulties 
of the situation, and when this thought came into 
his mind he stepped out from the shelter as he said 
to himself : 

‘H’ve got to tackle the job, even if I am likely to 
get the worst of it. The deacon must give me a 
little credit for puttin’ up the best bluff I can.” 

He was yet holding Jethro by the collar, and did 
not let the dog loose even when he stood in front 
of the stable door, his heart beating considerably 
faster than usual, because he knew full well that the 
chances of his being able to accomplish anything 
single-handed were exceedingly small. 

He stumbled over a stick four feet long and 
perhaps two inches in diameter, the end of which 


1 86 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

had been sharpened, and knew that it was one of the 
stakes from the wood-cart. « 

This was no mean weapon, and his courage revived 
considerably as he seized it. 

Marching straight on, he paused only when he was 
at the door of the stable, and then it became neces- 
sary to let go his hold of Jethro in order to grasp 
the latch of the door. 

It was his purpose to open it suddenly ; but after 
one vain effort he understood that the tramps had 
fastened the door on the inside. 

As a matter of course his movements caused some 
noise, and he heard one of the visitors say, in a half^ 
whisper : 

“ Hark ! Somebody is stirrin* ! ” 

“Let ’em stir,” a second voice replied, with a 
hoarse laugh. “ There ain’t anybody ’round this 
place that can rout us out, an’ what’s better, we’ll 
be able to order breakfast cooked for us in the 
mornin’.” 

“You’ll be playin’ in big luck if you don’t eat 
breakfast in jail,” Larry cried, pounding on the door 
with his club to make certain of attracting attention. 


UNWELCOME VIS/ TOES. 1 8 / 

“ ril give you one chance to clear out of here, an’ if 
you don’t go it’ll be a case of callin’ the cops ! ” 

While one might have counted five a profound 
silence followed this announcement, and then the 
occupants of the barn indulged in hearty laughter. 

Call ’em an’ be blowed ! ” one of the tramps 
cried, mockingly. ‘‘ I never saw a hayseed cop, an’ 
would like to get a squint at one.” 

Larry had made a mistake in threatening the 
unwelcome visitors with policemen from a country 
town, and he understood as much immediately the 
words had been spoken ; but having begun to 
threaten it was not good policy, so he believed, 
to retract a single word. 

<< You’ll find out whether there are any cops or 
not,” he said, threateningly, pounding again on the 
door. “Will you clear out, or must I make you 
move ^ ” 

“You’d better tackle the job without doin’ so 
much chinnin’. We’re here for the night, tucked 
up in bed, an’ don’t count on bein’ disturbed, so 
toddle back inter the house, an’ see to it that break- 
fast is ready for four when we give the word.” 


1 88 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

Larry knew full well that it was impossible for 
him to force the tramps out ; but yet he pounded 
on the door of the stable as if bent on battering it 
down, and, as he did so, Jethro added to the noise by 
barking furiously. 

Because of the tumult Master Hudson failed to 
hear the approach of one of the tramps as he crept 
toward the door to peer out through the crevices, 
therefore he was startled not a little when the fellow 
cried, derisively: 

“ It’s only a kid, an’ I’ll soon settle him ! ” 

Of a surety Larry’s wits were wool-gathering just 
then, for instead of guarding against an attack, he 
pounded yet . more vigorously until, suddenly, the 
door was flung open, and an instant later the boy 
was knocked headlong by a vicious blow, which, 
glancing from his cheek, struck him on the shoulder. 


CHAPTER X. 


SLICK JAKE. 

The blow which knocked Larry down was 
severe, but not dangerous, although at the instant 
it seemed to him as if one or more bones had been 
broken. 

The tramp had struck him with a club, and doubt- 
less intended to do the lad a serious injury, as would 
have been the case but for the fact that it glanced 
from his head, thus breaking the force before striking 
the shoulder. 

As it was, however, flashes as of Are danced before 
his eyes, and his arm was suddenly benumbed, as 
if the circulation of blood had ceased entirely. He 
felt something moist running across his cheek, and 
knew it was blood, therefore he argued that his 
injuries might be serious. 

Immediately after delivering the cruel blow the 
tramp had closed and refastened the stable door, 
189 


1 90 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

thus indicating that it was a matter of but little 
importance to him whether the boy needed attention 
in order to save his life, or if he was but slightly 
hurt. 

During two or three minutes Larry lay where 
he had fallen, wondering if death were very near 
him, and then Jethro brought him to a full realisation 
of the situation by licking his face. 

“Our bluff didn’t work, old fellow,” Larry whis- 
pered to the dog, and the ghost of a smile came upon 
his lips as he began to realise how foolishly he 
had behaved in not being on the alert against 
such an attack. “ I might have known they 
wouldn’t stand a lot of chinnin’ from me after 
some of the loafers at the depot posted ’em about 
things here at Herdsdale.” 

Having thus relieved his mind, as it were, Larry 
set about learning the extent of his injuries by 
scrambling to his feet. 

He was dizzy and faint, while his arm yet re- 
mained without power of movement ; but his legs 
were sound, and he went slowly toward^the house, 
trying in vain to devise some scheme whereby 


SLICK JAKE. I9I 

the tramps might be dislodged without calling for 
assistance from the Littlefields. 

‘‘If Aunt Mercy would only let me go after the 
men ! ” he muttered, and an instant later was forced 
to acknowledge to himself that unless the neighbours 
were willing to run the risk of receiving serious 
wounds, the unwelcome visitors were likely to remain 
under cover. 

It surely seemed as if Jethro understood that 
the boy was vanquished, for instead of barking defi- 
ance he kept close at Larry’s heels, walking after the 
fashion of a dog who knows his enemies are too 
strong to be attacked. 

“You can light the lamp if you want to. Aunt 
Mercy,” Master Hudson said, on opening the kitchen 
door. “ The villains know by this time that we are 
awake, an’ it won’t do any harm to show signs of 
life.” 

Nellie hurriedly set about doing as he had sug- 
gested, thus showing how trying it had been to 
remain in the darkness, and no sooner was the 
kitchen illuminated than Aunt Mercy screamed in 


terror : 


192 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

Why, Larry ! They must have nearly killed 
you ! " 

It’s only a little blood,’’ Master Hudson replied, 
with a poor attempt to speak in a tone of unconcern. 

One of ’em hit me with a club ; but I don’t reckon 
that part of the hurt amounts to much ; it’s my 
shoulder that aches.” 

“ Did you really walk right up to them ? ” Nellie 
asked, solicitously, while her mother bustled for 
warm water and cloths. 

“I went to the stable door, an’ was tryin’ to 
frighten ’em away, when one of ’em clubbed me. It 
was my own fault, for I ought’er had better sense 
than to stand there like a chump when I knew they’d 
play some kind of a game.” 

Neither Joe nor Ned spoke; but the expression 
on their faces told of the terror in their hearts, 
and, indeed, they had even more reason for alarm 
than had Larry, since both knew better than he 
to what lengths tramps would go when feeling secure 
from policemen or constables. 

There were a dozen farms within a radius of 
five or six miles on which depredations had been 


SLICK JAKE. 193 

committed by these travelling loafers, and every lad 
in the village of Canton had heard more or less 
startling stories of wanton mischief done in the out- 
lying districts. One set of farm buildings had been 
destroyed within the past two years ; sheep had been 
slaughtered in the pastures ; hen-roosts robbed, chil- 
dren maltreated, and women insulted. 

The boys came close by Larry’s side, and re- 
mained there silent and terrified, while Aunt Mercy 
wiped away the blood, and closed with adhesive 
plaster a jagged cut on the side of his head. Then 
pulling away the coat and shirt until his shoulder 
was exposed, she brought to view the bruised flesh 
which was already beginning to discolour. 

“ It’s a wonder you wasn’t killed, my poor boy,” 
she said, tenderly. ‘‘Can you move your arm 
now ? ” 

“Oh, that’s all right,” Larry replied, promptly. 
“ For a spell it felt as if all the bones were broken ; 
but now it’s only sore.” 

“It will be a good while before you can use it 
handily. I’ll put on a poultice later when — ” 

She ceased speaking very suddenly. For the 


194 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

moment the knowledge of Larry’s wounds had 
caused her to forget that in the stable were four 
vicious men who might do yet further mischief 
before going or being driven away, and now as she 
was reminded of the fact her face grew pale again. 

“ What can we do, my boy } ” she asked, piteously. 
‘‘ I won’t allow you to go where they are, and — ” 

‘‘Mr. Littlefield would help us, an’ I might run 
down there.” 

“ I don’t dare to have you leave the house, Larry. 
Suppose the tramps set fire to the stable Every 
buildin’ would be burned before you could get 
back.” 

“Then there’s nothin’ for it but to wait till 
mornin’, an’ watch out for some one to come,” Larry 
said, with a sigh, hoping that the idea of delaying so 
long would induce her to allow him to go in search 
of help. 

“That is all we can do,” Aunt Mercy replied, 
resignedly, and Nellie cried, timidly : 

“ They may bum everything before then ! ” 

“We can only ask the Lord to help us, my child. 
Joseph, let Jethro into the kitchen, and Ned will 


SLICK JAKE. 195 

bring out the Bible. We’ll ask Him for assistance 
since we are powerless to aid ourselves.” 

While Aunt Mercy read, Larry stood at the win- 
dow peering out into the darkness, fearing each 
instant lest he should see the glow of a fire in the 
direction of the stable, and listening intently with 
the hope that he might get some slight idea of what 
the tramps were doing. 

Joe’s mother read a full chapter, and then prayed 
at great length that the Lord would watch over them 
in their hour of peril, after which she appeared more 
composed. 

‘‘We’ll wait patiently till mornin’, trustin’ that 
some of our neighbours will drive this way early,” 
she said, quietly. “If the tramps do us harm, we 
will try to say, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’ What 
are you doin’, Larry.?” 

“ Watchin’ out, so that if the stable is set on fire 
we can do somethin’ toward savin’ the cows.” 

Joe and Ned stood close by Aunt Mercy’s side, 
still clutching the toy pistols, and Nellie sat on a 
footstool resting her head on her mother’s knee. 

No one spoke; the silence was so profound that 


196 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

the ticking of the clock sounded like the blows 
of a hammer, and when Jethro moved restlessly 
about, it was as if his footsteps were those of a 
horse. 

Larry remained motionless at the window ; Joe 
and Ned finally lay down on the floor, and soon the 
regular breathing told that they, as well as Nellie, 
had fallen asleep. 

Once, after it seemed as if the morning must be 
close at hand, so slowly did the minutes pass. Aunt 
Mercy asked : 

‘‘ Can you see or hear anything, Larry > ” 

‘‘Not a thing ; they must be asleep by this time.” 

“ Do you suppose they’ll go peaceably away in the 
mornin’ ? ” 

“ I hope so ; but one of ’em allowed they was 
bound to have breakfast.” 

“ Do you think it would be safe to let them come 
into the kitchen > ” 

“ I wouldn’t do it if we can get rid of ’em ; there’s 
no knowin’ what sich villainous men might do. Is 
there much chance the neighbours will come along 
this way very early ? ” 


SLICK JAKE. 197 

I can’t say ; but we’ll hope for the best, my boy. 
If father was only here ! ” 

Somebody at the station told ’em that the deacon 
had gone away, an’ that’s why they’re carryin’ on so 
bad.” 

After this the conversation ceased. Aunt Mercy 
remained motionless that she might not disturb 
Nellie’s slumber, and the two boys slept on the floor 
as soundly as if they were in bed with no danger 
near at hand. 

Larry hailed the first pale light of day in the east- 
ern sky, and announced the fact joyously to Aunt 
Mercy. 

“ The sun rises about five o’clock, an’ it can’t be 
more than four now. We must wait two hours or 
more, my boy.” 

“ Would you be afraid to have me go down to Mr. 
Littlefield’s now 

“ Indeed I would ; you mustn’t stir till they’ve left 
the farm. Josey an’ Ned seem like children by 
the side of you, though I don’t suppose they are so 
very much older; but somehow I depend on you 
while we’re in such trouble.” 


198 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

Larry sighed deeply. He knew full well that the 
tramps would not leave the farm without making 
more trouble for the family, unless by some good 
fortune a sufficient number of the neighbours came 
to the rescue, and now, even more than during the 
hours of darkness, was the time when assistance 
should be summoned. 

Another hour passed. The first rays of the rising 
sun could be seen above the horizon and from the 
stable came the low call of the cows who waited for 
breakfast. 

Joe and Ned awakened, stiff from having remained 
on the hard floor so long, and Nellie opened her 
eyes to a realisation of the situation. 

Aunt Mercy’s first care was to take the toy pistols 
from the boys, for they had retained these imitation 
weapons of defence even while slumbering, and she 
said, as she hid the useless things beneath a quantity 
of yarn in the cupboard : 

“We won’t keep up the semblance of try in’ to 
defend ourselves, an’ perhaps those men may be 
ashamed of thus frightening an old woman an’ four 
children.” 


SLICK JAKE. 199 

“The cattle ought to be fed,” Joe suggested; but 
his mother silenced him with a look. 

“After the way Larry was treated I’ll not so 
much as allow you children to put a foot out-of- 
doors. One of you may build the kitchen fire, an’ 
I’ll try to get breakfast.” 

Larry hastened to obey her bidding, and once 
Aunt Mercy had set about the household duties half 
her fears were put out of mind. 

Nellie had begun to arrange the table for the 
morning meal when Joe cried, in tones of terror : 

“ They’re cornin’ out of the stable ! There are all 
four ! ” 

“ An’ they’re makin’ straight for us ! ” Ned 
added. 

“ You’ll have to let ’em in. Aunt Mercy,” Larry 
said, after one glance at the tramps. “If you 
keep the door locked they might break in the 
windows. Please let one of us boys run down to 
Littlefield’s } ” 

Aunt Mercy looked around helplessly ; but when 
Larry caught up his hat she cried, sharply : 

“ You mustn’t be the one to go ! I’m dependin’ 


200 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


on you to save us all from bein’ murdered. Oh, 
don’t leave us, Larry ! ” 

‘‘Will you let Joe an’ Ned sneak out by the front 
way.? ril stay close by your side; but we must 
have some help, or there’s no tellin’ what they’ll 
do!” 

It seemed as if a second look at the tramps was 
needed before Aunt Mercy would consent to Lariy’s 
proposition, and then she said, faintly, as if the de- 
cision cost her great pain : 

“ Do as you think best, my child. An old woman 
like me, who’s afraid of her own shadow, isn’t fit to 
decide what should be done. If father was only 
here ! ” 

“ Hurry, boys ! ” Larry said, sharply. “ You can 
get out of the front door without bein’ seen, an’ 
once you are at Littlefield’s make sure that two or 
three men come up here at once. We can keep the 
tramps quiet a spell with somethin’ to eat.” 

The boys were by no means averse to leaving the 
house at this time, for the spectacle of Larry’s 
wounds was sufficient to warn them of what might 
be their fate. 


SLICK JAKE. 


201 


Nellie ran with them to the front door, and when 
the tramps had knocked loudly and peremptorily at 
the kitchen entrance, Ned and Joe left the house, 
running at full speed, as if positive the enemy was 
at their heels. 

Larry opened the kitchen door at the first sum- 
mons, and without waiting for permission or invita- 
tion the four men entered. 

They looked around with an air of satisfaction as 
if pleased because their presence had caused alarm, 
and one of them asked, gruffly : 

How long before breakfast will be ready ? ” 
‘‘Look here, mister,” Larry began, stepping be- 
tween the strangers and Aunt Mercy, “if she gives 
you somethin’ to eat will you go directly away ? ” 

“ I don’t know as we’re called upon to bargain 
with you for what we want. Say, ain’t you the kid 
who was raisin’ sich a row last night ? ” 

“ I’m the one you knocked down, if that’s what 
you want to know, an’ you are called on to bargain 
for breakfast, else there’ll be trouble.” 

“ An’ you’ll make it for us, I s’pose ? ” 

“That’s jest what I will do,” and Larry caught 


202 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


up the heavy iron poker which stood within the 
unused fireplace. “After last night it wouldn’t go 
against my grain to knock one of you stiff ; so keep 
civil tongues in your heads while you’re talkin’ to 
Aunt Mercy.” 

“ Don’t anger ’em, Larry, don’t anger ’em ! ” the 
good woman cried, imploringly. “ I’ll cook them 
somethin’ to eat.” 

“I’ll do more than anger them if they make a 
move toward cornin’ nearer than the table,” and 
Larry swung the iron weapon viciously. 

One of the men stepped a pace nearer, as if bent 
on making an attack ; but the boy raised the poker 
high in the air, and the cowardly ruffian retreated. 

“It’s jest like this,” Larry cried, rejoicing because 
it seemed as if he had the advantage for the time 
being. “You can have breakfast, an’ then it’ll be 
a case of leavin’ in short order. It wouldn’t be 
against the law for me to kill one of your crowd, 
an’ no matter how hard you fight I can get in a blow 
before you down me. If either of you wants a taste 
of this, make a move toward doin’ more’n I’ve said, 
an’ you’ll get it.” 





“ THE BOY RAISED THE POKER HIGH IN THE AIR 



SLICK JAKE. 


203 


That the boy was in earnest there could be no 
doubt, and for a moment the tramps were cowed, 
while even Aunt Mercy appeared less timid. 

Larry believed the victory would be his if he 
could keep the villains in check sufficiently long for 
the men from Littlefield’s to arrive, and he was fully 
determined to carry out his threat. 

The tramps whispered together, and one of them 
started toward the door, probably intending to go in 
search of something in the shape of a weapon which 
would counterbalance the iron poker ; but Larry 
was too quick-witted not to understand the fellow’s 
purpose. 

Come back here ! ” he cried. ‘‘ If any of you 
leave this room I’ll knock one of the others in the 
head ! I ain’t sich a chump as not to guess what 
you’re reckonin’ on.” 

With an exclamation of rage the man nearest the 
door came back to the side of his companions, as he 
said, warningly : 

We’ll get the best of you before many minutes, 
my bantam, an’ then you shall smart for havin’ been 
so funny.” 


204 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

“I’ll hold this end of the kitchen for awhile, at 
any rate, an’ perhaps what comes afterward will give 
you a dose that’ll pay up for your game. I’ve seen 
sich as you in the city, an’ don’t count on lettin’ you 
have it all your own way. Get up to the table, an’ 
keep your tongues quiet. Move ! ” he shouted, swing- 
ing the poker vigorously as the visitors hesitated. 

Although one small boy was confronting four 
men, either of whom could have crushed him with 
but little effort, the tramps had no desire to bring 
about a battle, for the very good reason that Larry 
would be able to strike at least one telling blow 
before he was disarmed. Under such circumstances, 
the lad had much the best of the situation, and the 
unwelcome visitors were forced to obey. 

Master Hudson understood full well, however, 
that his power was exceedingly limited. It was 
only while the men remained inside the kitchen that 
he held the upper hand. Once they got out-of- 
doors, where clubs or missiles could readily be found, 
the tables would speedily be turned. In fact, Larry 
saw one of the men eyeing wistfully Joe’s base-ball 
bat, which stood in one corner of the room, and 


SLICK JAKE. 205 

instantly he was on the alert in case the fellow 
should attempt to gain possession of it. 

If help came speedily from Littlefield’s farm, then 
the Doak family would be the victors ; but if the 
men had left home, the tramps would be able to 
do whatsoever pleased their vicious fancy. 

Aunt Mercy, seeing the visitors cower before the 
boy, began to believe that they would depart peace- 
ably as soon as breakfast had been served, and to 
hasten such a desirable end she hurried to and fro 
nervously, but yet at the same time preparing an 
appetising meal. 

Larry decided that Joe and Ned should be able 
to arrive at Littlefield’s within fifteen minutes from 
the time of departing. Those who came in response 
to the appeal would traverse the distance in about 
the same length of time, therefore in half an hour 
he could reasonably hope for assistance. 

No more than ten minutes had elapsed, and he 
was growing weary with remaining constantly on 
the alert against the slightest suspicious movement. 
Would he be able to maintain his position as long 
as might be necessary ? 


206 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


It was his belief that the tramps would make 
no effort to do mischief from the time the food 
was set before them until their hunger was satis- 
fied, therefore he was feverishly eager for Aunt 
Mercy to serve the meal. 

It seemed to him that the good woman had never 
moved so slowly as now ; that the fire burned with 
far less heat than usual, and that the food was 
literally refusing to be cooked, so wearily did the 
moments pass. 

“ In fifteen minutes more,” he said to himself, 
as he glanced furtively at the clock, and even as 
the thought formed itself in his mind he heard the 
hum of voices outside. 

The blood bounded in his veins, and only with 
difficulty could he restrain himself from crying 
aloud in mingled relief and triumph. 

He knew that Joe and Ned had not been able to go as 
far as the Littlefield farm, and yet there was no curi- 
osity in his mind as to where they had found assistance. 

Then the kitchen door was opened suddenly, and 
as the tramps leaped to their feet Larry uttered 
a cry of dismay. 


SLICK JAKE, 


207 


In the doorway, with the two boys behind him, 
stood that man who, on the Fourth of July, had 
introduced himself to Deacon Doak as *^Mr. Fol- 
som,” the bunco man, whom Master Hudson knew 
as “ Slick Jake.” 

Like a flash came into Larry’s mind the thought 
that this fellow was in league with the tramps, and 
now the house would be plundered ; but in this 
particular he soon discovered that he wronged the 
light-fingered ‘‘Mr. Folsom.” 

It was evident that the tramps did not recognise 
him, for they crowded nearer the door, ready to beat 
a retreat as soon as possible, and were evidently feel- 
ing decidedly uncomfortable in mind. 

“ Look out for yourself, Jake ! ” Larry shouted, as 
one of the tramps stole up apparently to strike the 
newcomer, and the boy advanced a couple of paces 
nearer, as he cried to the disagreeable visitors, “ Don’t 
make the mistake of hittin’ anybody, or I’ll let this 
iron fall on the duffer what stands nearest me.” 

“ Mr. Folsom ” stepped back a few inches in order 
to have room to swing his arms, but still guarding 
the door, and said, with a laugh : 


208 


LARRY HUDSON AMBITION. 


“ How does it happen that you’re out here, Larry ? 
What kind of a gang have you picked up ? ” 

These ’ere are some gents what slept on the 
hay last night, an’ have jest ordered breakfast as 
if they was swells. I’m lookin’ after ’em a bit 
for fear they’ll get funny.” 


CHAPTER XI. 

A PROPOSITION. 

Aunt Mercy and the children did not recognise 
the alleged ‘‘Mr. Folsom,” which is hardly to be 
wondered at in view of the fact that they paid no 
particular attention to him during the time he held 
the deacon in conversation on the sidewalk in front 
of the restaurant ; afterward, at the station, when 
Larry forced him to disgorge his ill-gotten gains, 
the confidence man did not approach the party from 
Herdsdale. 

The only thought in the mind of Aunt Mercy 
was one of thankfulness that the newcomer was 
a friend of Larry’s, while Joe and Ned were not 
a little surprised that the stranger whom they had 
opportunely met walking toward the farm from 
the direction of the village, should be known to 
their comrade. 


209 


210 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 

Every member of the family believed it was a 
piece of rare good fortune that the man from the 
city chanced to be in the vicinity at that par- 
ticular time, and Larry was so agitated regarding 
the possibility of driving away the unwelcome visi- 
tors, that he did not speculate as to why Slick Jake 
happened to be there. 

The alleged Mr. Folsom scrutinised the tramps 
as they stood before him ready for, and evidently 
anticipating, an attack, and Larry noted with satis- 
faction the fact that the newcomer’s hand was on 
his hip pocket, as if he had there a concealed 
weapon. 

This last movement had not escaped the attention 
of the tramps, and it could plainly be seen that they 
were considerably disturbed in mind because of it. 

So they took possession of the farm, eh .? ” “ Mr. 
Folsom ” asked, after he had scrutinised the tramps 
to his satisfaction. 

‘‘Yes; the deacon is away, an’ they counted on 
gettin’ the best of us,” Larry replied, still on the 
alert against any sudden demonstration by the 


men. 


A PROPOSITION. 


2II 


“And this lady would prefer that they made a 
quick exit ? ” Slick Jake added, motioning toward 
Mrs. Doak. 

“Yes, an’ the sooner the better,” Larry said, 
decidedly, while Joe and Ned stepped back quickly, 
as if fearing they might be in the way, to their own 
injury, in case the disagreeable visitors should beat 
a hasty retreat. 

“ Mr. Folsom ” opened the door a trifle wider, 
stepped back two paces or more, and, with his hand 
still in the vicinity of his hip pocket, said, sharply : 

“ Now get a move on, you loafers, and if you stop 
this side of the railroad station I’ll take more of a 
hand in the business than I’ve yet showed.” 

Knowing, or believing, that the man was armed, 
and understanding that he would not be gentle in his 
treatment of them in case they attempted to disobey 
orders, the tramps almost tumbled over each other 
in their eagerness to get out of the door. 

Once in the open air, they would have started for 
the station by first going in the direction of the cow 
stables; but “Mr. Folsom” brought them to the 
right-about by crying: 


212 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


“ Wheel around there, and strike out for the 
road ! Don’t dare fool about the buildings of this 
farm ! ” 

This order was obeyed promptly, and the Doak 
family watched the movements of the men until they 
had disappeared in the distance without so much as 
looking back. 

Then it was that Aunt Mercy, the tears flowing 
freely because of her great and sudden relief of 
mind, said, in a tone of devout thankfulness : 

“ I truly believe God sent you in reply to our 
prayers, sir. We have passed a terrible night, and 
my astonishment is as great as my thankfulness 
because those horrible men went away without 
doing us a mischief.” 

‘‘They knew it wouldn’t be well to play any 
games with me,” the supposed Mr. Folsom said, as 
he took Aunt Mercy’s outstretched hand. “You 
won’t have any more trouble with them, and in the 
future I would advise that you provide yourself with 
something in the way of weapons. When a party 
of tramps find out there are no men about, they’re 
apt to carry matters with a high hand.” 


A PROPOSITION. 


213 


“The deacon never believed in keepin’ firearms, 
an’ until Larry came there was nobody on the farm 
who could use them. The Lord has been good to 
us, an’ we owe you an’ the boy more than we can 
ever repay.” 

“You’re welcome to the little share I’ve had in it, 
an’ as for Larry, I know him well enough to under- 
stand that those fellows couldn’t get the best of him 
entirely.” 

“ I don’t know what we would have done with- 
out him, an’ to think that you, a friend of his, 
should come along jest when you was most 
needed ! ” 

“ My coming can readily be explained. I am in- 
terested in a certain line of goods used by farmers, 
and had begun my day’s work, having slept last 
night at the hotel in Canton.” 

Master Hudson looked up quickly in astonishment, 
for he had never believed Slick Jake would perform 
any kind of work save that connected with the 
swindling of people from the country. 

“ Mr. Folsom ” winked confidentially at Larry, as 
if to say that he should hold his tongue until the 


214 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


matter could be privately explained, and Aunt 
Mercy said, hospitably : 

“I’ll warrant you haven’t been to breakfast. I 
was jest gettin’ it ready, an’ the boys will have time 
to look after the cattle before it is on the table. 
Will you please walk into the sittin’-room } ” 

“I’ll have a look around the farm, if it’s all the 
same to you,” “ Mr. Folsom ” replied, and Master 
Hudson understood that the confidence man in- 
tended to hold a private conversation with him. 

It was high time the morning work was done, and 
while Larry was milking the other boys fed the 
horses and cattle ; but all the while one or the other 
remained so near at hand that Master Hudson had 
no opportunity of speaking confidentially with the 
man who had been of so much assistance to the 
occupants of Herdsdale farm. 

It was as if Joe and Ned were eager to hear every 
word which fell from the lips of this exceedingly 
well-dressed stranger, and they hurried with the 
chores lest he should say something of interest 
during their absence. 

Larry, now that he had time to turn the matter 


A PROPOSITION. 2 1 5 

over in his mind, was most uncomfortable. He was 
under great obligations to Slick Jake because of 
what he had just done, yet the boy knew full well 
that Mr. Folsom ” had no honest business to 
transact in that portion of the country. If he had 
any interest in farmers, it was that he might swindle 
them, and, after all that had happened, the confi- 
dence man would be likely to find in Deacon Doak 
an easy victim, provided he could explain satisfac- 
torily the little misunderstanding in the city. 

It appeared to Larry that it was his solemn duty 
to prevent Mr. Folsom ” from playing any dis- 
honest game on the deacon, and yet he was not 
disposed to make serious charges against the visitor’s 
honesty while they owed him so much. 

Therefore it was that Master Hudson was quite as 
eager for a private interview as was Slick Jake ; but 
it could not be brought about on that morning. 

When Joe went into the next building to feed the 
horses, Ned remained behind, gazing in open-mouthed 
astonishment and pleasure at the *‘city chap,” and 
when Larry suggested that Ned ought to feed the 
pigs, Joe was ready to take his turn at listening. 


2I6 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


<< Mr. Folsom ” praised the cows, the horses, and 
even the pigs. Finding that he could not shake off 
the other boys long enough to have an interview with 
Larry, he told stories of life in the city, regaled them 
with accounts of tramps he had known, and other- 
wise made himself very agreeable and entertaining. 

Master Hudson fancied he should be able to speak 
alone with Slick Jake when the cows were driven to 
pasture, for he had made up his mind not to take 
upon himself that portion of the work on this 
morning; but one of the Littlefield boys chanced 
to come that way just as the task of milking had 
been finished, and by way of payment for a detailed 
story of what the tramps had done, agreed to per- 
form such portion of the morning’s chores. 

Then Aunt Mercy called the family to breakfast, 
and Mr. Folsom ” exerted himself to please the 
good woman with such effect that before the meal 
had come to an end she gave him a most cordial 
invitation to remain at the farm until the deacon 
returned, assuring him she would feel more comfort- 
able in mind if he could so arrange his business as to 
visit them. 


A PROPOSITION. 


217 


The invitation was finally accepted by the obliging 
gentleman ; but at the same time he claimed that it 
was absolutely necessary he attend to certain mat- 
ters while remaining in the neighbourhood, therefore 
he could do little more than sleep at the farm. 

“It will be a real favour if you do even that 
much,” Aunt Mercy said, with an air of gratitude. 
“ After all that has happened I shall feel safe while 
you are here ; but if left alone with the boys I’m 
certain it would be impossible to sleep a wink.” 

Thus it was that the swindler found a temporary 
home, and, whatever might be the scheme upon 
which he was engaged, it could the better be car- 
ried into execution if it became known that he was 
Deacon Doak’s guest. 

When the meal had come to an end, “ Mr. Fol- 
som ” asked if one of the boys would show him the 
way to the Littlefield farm, and Joe eagerly proffered 
his services, although the stranger might readily have 
found his way alone. 

When the two had departed, Larry went into the 
cow stable to learn if the tramps had done any mis- 
chief there, and to his relief found that they had 


2I8 


LARRY HUDSON^S AMBITION. 


been content with a bed on the hay ; but the half- 
burned matches which were strewn around gave 
proof of the danger to which the deacon’s property 
had been exposed. 

On his return to the house, it was as if Aunt 
Mercy and Nellie could not find words sufficient in 
which to express their admiration of Mr. Folsom,” 
and Larry was called upon to explain how it chanced 
that he was acquainted with one who must be a 
prosperous merchant, at the very least. 

Despite the fact that he owed “ Mr. Folsom ” a 
debt of gratitude, the lad believed that he should 
make some effort to open the eyes of Mrs. Doak to 
the true character of the man, although he could not 
bring himself to say the worst. 

“I reckon the deacon has met him before,” he 
replied to the eager questions. “Us fellers always 
called him Slick Jake, an’ he was kind’er mixed 
up in the row when the watch an’ money was 
lost.” 

“ Did he help you get the things back } ” Nellie 
asked, as if certain the reply would be in the 
affirmative. 


A PROPOSITION. 219 

‘‘Well, he was in the scrape. I don’t jest like the 
idea of his stoppin’ here ; but — ” 

“ Why, Larry Hudson ! ” Mrs. Doak cried, re- 
proachfully. ** I am surprised to hear you talk like 
that after all Mr. Folsom has done for us. But for 
him we might have been driven out of house an’ 
home by the tramps.” 

“ I reckon perhaps that’s so, unless some of the 
Littlefields had happened along ; but all the same I 
wish he wasn’t here.” 

Nellie looked as if offended by these words, and 
Mrs. Doak had very much to say regarding the sin 
of ingratitude, dwelling upon the theme so long that 
Larry, muttering something about the work which 
must be done at once, hurried out into the field. 

Ned, who shared Nellie’s dislike at hearing any- 
thing against the man to whom they owed so much, 
remained in the house, and Larry had an opportunity 
for reflection as he hoed the potatoes. 

“ Slick Jake will clean this place out if somethin’ 
ain’t done,” he muttered as he worked. “ Of course 
the deacon’s bound to know him ; but if Jake lays 
right down to it, he’ll talk the teeth out of the old 


220 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


man’s head. Perhaps I can frighten him away, an’ 
then all hands will be down on me, for they think 
he’s a reg’lar peach.” 

During two hours or more he remained there 
alone, for Ned had gone to the village with Joe, 
after the latter returned from the Littlefield farm, 
to tell the story of their adventures with tramps, 
and “ Mr. Folsom ” suddenly appeared. 

‘‘ So you’ve turned farmer, eh, kid } ” he said, in an 
exceedingly friendly tone. 

“That’s what I have, an’ it goes ’way ahead of 
tryin’ to get a livin’ in the city.” 

“ I reckon I helped you to the job.” 

“Well, I s’ pose you did, though it wasn’t what 
you planned when you swiped the deacon’s watch 
an’ money.” 

“ Mr. Folsom ” chewed a blade of grass reflect- 
ively, and then suggested that they stroll over by 
the brook, where it was cooler and less exposed to 
view of those at the farmhouse. 

“ I’ve been waitin’ for a chance to have a serious 
talk with you, kid, and the sooner it’s done the 
better, so far as my business is concerned.” 


A PROPOSITION. 


221 


“ Goin’ to make a trade, eh ? ” Larry asked, as 
he threw down the hoe, and walked by ‘^Mr. Fol- 
som’s” side. 

‘‘ Well, it might be you could do me a good turn, 
and it’s quite as likely that, if I was so disposed, you 
wouldn’t find this to be a very pleasant home. After 
all I’ve done for the family, I reckon they’d be ready 
to take my word a little quicker than they would 
yours.” 

‘‘See here, Jake,” Larry cried, “have you got 
nerve enough to stay here till the deacon comes 
home ? ” 

“ Why shouldn’t I ? ” 

“ Don’t you allow he’s got eyes in his head ? He 
knows you for the duck what robbed him, an’ I 
reckon you won’t cut much ice in this family after 
he breaks out.” 

“But the question is, kid, was I the one what 
touched him on the Fourth ? Of course the other 
man and I may look something alike ; but I was in 
Boston the first two weeks in July, therefore couldn’t 
have met the deacon in New York.” 

“ So that’s the story, is it ? ” 


222 LARRY HUDSON^S AMBITIORT. 

“ Something after that style. Now sit down, and 
let’s map out our plan,” “ Mr. Folsom ” said, as he 
threw himself on the grass, the two having by this 
time arrived at the bank of the brook, where the 
maple-trees afforded a most grateful shelter against 
the hot rays of the sun. 

Larry did as he was bidden, but objected most 
strenuously against sharing in any plan concocted 
by Slick Jake. 

*‘It ain’t ours,” he said, sharply. “Whatever 
scheme you’ve got is all yours.” 

“Very well, we’ll put it that way. I’ve turned 
over a new leaf since you saw me last, kid.” 

“ Oh, you have, eh ” Master Hudson said, sarcas- 
tically. “ What lay are you on now } ” 

“I’ve gone into the business of selling farming 
implements, and count on living straight from this 
out.” 

“ No more crooked business ? ” Larry asked, in- 
credulously. 

“ None in mine ; I’ve reformed, an’ reckon myself 
an honest man.” 


“ Gettin’ a good livin’ at it ? ” 


A PROPOSITION. 


223 

Well, only fair ; but it’ll pick up as I make 
customers. Now I had hit upon Canton as the place 
where I might earn a dollar ; of course I had no idea 
you were here, and my happening along when the 
tramps were running matters their own way was a 
bit of luck for all on the farm.” 

‘‘An’ to hear Aunt Mercy talk you’d think that 
we’d all got our throats cut if you hadn’t come.” 

“Perhaps she isn’t so very far out of the way. 
Those hoboes knew they had the upper hands, and I 
reckon they’d carried on high if I hadn’t showed up.” 

“I allow we’d been in a tight place, though Joe 
an’ Ned could have brought up somebody from 
Littlefield’s.” 

“Yes, they started out for that purpose, met me, 
and the job was done in short order. I ain’t takin’ 
any too much credit on myself, but yet I’ll hold to 
it that I saved Deacon Doak’s property to a greater 
or less degree, as the fancy of the tramps might have 
dictated. Having done that. I’m invited to stay till 
the owner of Herdsdale comes home. The chances 
are he’ll think he has seen me before ; but I shall 
show him the mistake, and then, inasmuch as he’s 


224 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

one of the solid men hereabouts, I will try to sell 
him goods cheaper than he can get them in the city. 
If he isn’t needing anything in my line, no harm has 
been done.” 

‘‘ You’ve got it fixed in great shape, an’ I can’t see 
what you want of me.” 

Not very much, kid, and that’s a fact. When I 
persuade the deacon that he never saw me before, 
you have only to hold your tongue. The folks here 
know you and I are old friends, from what was said 
when we met, therefore it’s only necessary to say that 
you bought blacking and brushes of me when I kept 
a shop on Fulton Street. That’s easy enough to 
remember, and if you stick to the story, at the same 
time swearin’ I ain’t the duck who touched the 
deacon on the Fourth, I’ll give you a big slice of 
what I pick up here.” 

This proposition aroused Larry’s suspicions once 
more. While Slick Jake spoke of having resolved 
to become an honest man. Master Hudson was dis- 
posed to believe him ; but to talk of paying for a lie 
and for keeping silent as to other falsehoods, smacked 
of Jake’s old-time work. 


A PROPOSITION. 225 

‘‘Your honest business must bring in big money 
for you to put out so much.” 

“Well, Fm where I can’t help myself, kid. If 
you blow your mouth some of the people may 
believe you, and my business will suffer. I’ve been 
crooked. I’ll admit, and now I must make some 
sacrifices.” 

“Well, s’pose I don’t agree to tell about that 
shop on Fulton Street, an’ swear to the deacon that 
it was you who got away with his ticker and his 
leather } ” 

“In that case, kid, I must count you my enemy, 
and take measures accordingly. I shall do the 
friendly act by the deacon, and tell him you’re not 
a kid that can be trusted. Any old story will do to 
have you fired off of this farm, and I shall cook up 
a good one. But there’s no need of threatenin’ a 
bright chap like you. This town of Canton can be 
worked to the queen’s taste, especially when it’s 
known that I am visiting at Deacon Doak’s. I’ll 
make a big stake, and you shall have as much of it 
as you could earn in five years by farming. That 
boy Joe tells me you’re to get eight dollars a month. 


226 


LARRY HUDSON AMBITION. 


Stand by me, and if things go as Tm countin’ on, 
you’ll have five hundred flat in your fist the day I 
pull out.” 

“ I don’t want to go into that kind of business,” 
Larry replied, decidedly. I never did anything 
crooked, an’ it won’t pay me to strike in now when 
I’ve got the chance of my life.” 

“ Then I’m bound to protect myself, and we’ll see 
who comes out best. Perhaps you may block my 
game; but I’ll go bail you won’t be allowed to stay 
twenty-four hours after the deacon gets back.” 

Larry tried in vain to keep back the look of dis- 
tress which came into his eyes. He had no doubt 
but that Slick Jake, who would not scruple at any 
wickedness, could work him great harm, and it 
seemed certain his life at Herdsdale must come to 
a speedy end in case he refused to accede to the 
proposition. 

Mr. Folsom ” evidently understood somewhat of 
that which was in the boy’s mind, for he said, 
insinuatingly : 

‘‘ Look here, kid, I don’t want to be hard on you 
unless I’m driven to the wall. It’s mighty little I’m 


A PROPOSITION, 227 

asking of you, and suppose you take time to think it 
over ? The deacon isn’t likely to be home for two 
or three days ; what do you say to leaving matters 
as they are for that length of time? Hold your 
tongue and I’ll hold mine till the jay flashes up. 
Then you can decide.” 

Larry was at a loss for an answer, and Mr. 
Folsom” said, persuasively: 

‘‘I’m offering you a good bargain, kid. If I 
should go up to the house now, while all hands 
believe they owe their lives to me, and set about 
giving you a black eye, you wouldn’t be allowed to 
wait till morning. Then I’d have the deacon to 
myself, without fear of interference from you. What 
do you say ? ” 

Larry’s brain was in a whirl. He believed Slick 
Jake would be able to do all he threatened, and 
the idea of being forced to leave Herdsdale, par- 
ticularly with an undeserved stain on his char- 
acter, was something too terrible to be thought of 
calmly. 

“ Mr. Folsom ” could guess what was in the boy’s 
mind, and he said, in a friendly tone ; 


228 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


‘‘Come on, kid, we’ll go up to the house, and let 
things drift for a spell.” 

Larry made no reply ; but arose to his feet, walk- 
ing meekly by Slick Jake’s side, which was much the 
same as if he had agreed to the latter’s proposition. 


CHAPTER XII. 


THE SCHEME. 

Master Hudson was in a decidedly unenviable 
frame of mind as he walked with Slick Jake from 
the brook to the house, after the latter had made the 
proposition which was much the same as an offer of 
partnership in such villainous scheme as the confi- 
dence man intended to work upon the people of 
Canton and vicinity. 

As the matter presented itself to his mind, the 
coming of Mr. Folsom” was the signal for his 
departure, unless he was willing to take part in 
swindling the old man who had given him a home 
when he was in sore need of one. 

That Slick Jake would do exactly as he had threat- 
ened, in case his proposition was not accepted, Larry 
knew full well, and there was no question in the 
boy's mind but that the man, who was credited by 
Aunt Mercy with having saved the deacon’s property 


229 


230 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 


from destruction, would tell such a story, even 
though it should be false from beginning to end, 
as would ensure his (Larry’s) disgrace. 

If it was necessary, Master Hudson could walk 
away from the farm without any great show of 
sorrow, provided he might count Deacon Doak’s 
family as being friendly toward him ; but to go like 
a criminal whose evil deeds have just been discov- 
ered, was more than he cared to contemplate calmly. 

He had only to tell one little lie in order to hold 
his place on the farm until such time as he had 
earned enough to purchase a home of his own, and 
that which Slick Jake might give him for his silence 
would represent his wages for five years’ work. 
Surely the temptation was great ! 

On arriving at the farmhouse Aunt Mercy wel- 
comed ‘‘ Mr. Folsom ” warmly, as did all the children, 
and Larry fancied they treated him coldly because 
he had been so unwise as to suggest that the confi- 
dence man was not all he represented himself. 

It was as if no one thought of the work to be 
done, so absorbed were all, even including Aunt 
Mercy, in thoughts of the danger just passed, and 


THE SCHEME. 


231 


the sole topic of conversation was regarding tramps 
and their lawless doings. 

Larry would have slipped away in order to con- 
tinue his self-imposed task of hoeing potatoes ; but 
“ Mr. Folsom ” was not inclined to lose sight of him 
for a single moment. 

Considering the natural excitement of the day, 
I am certain Mrs. Doak will excuse you from work,” 
Slick Jake said, as he prevented Master Hudson from 
leaving the kitchen when he would have returned to 
the potato patch, for it still lacked a full hour of 
dinner-time. 

Aunt Mercy replied that the children were at 
liberty to do as they pleased, and she “ hoped ” the 
deacon would not find fault in case the boys had 
failed to accomplish as much as he fancied they 
ought. 

It’s been a dreadful tryin’ time,” she said, 
emphatically, *‘an’ if I find it hard to settle down 
to work, it isn’t to be wondered at that the boys 
should want to stay ’round the house till things get 
more quiet.” 

“I don’t believe the deacon will think that’s any 


232 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

reason for our lay in’ still,” Larry replied, with a 
feeble attempt at cheeriness. I’m jest as well 
off in the potato patch, an’ reckon I’d better go 
back.” 

“ Mr. Folsom ” would have detained him by force, 
although exerting it in a pla3dul fashion ; but Larry 
readily evaded the outstretched hand, and hurried 
toward the field, more eager to be alone in order 
that he might turn Slick Jake’s proposition over in 
his mind without interruption, than he was to hoe 
the potatoes. 

When half an hour had elapsed, during which 
time he had worked as industriously with his 
hands as his thoughts, Ned joined him with the 
announcement that dinner would be “ready mighty 
soon.” 

“I reckon you fellers have been down to the 
village?” Larry said, rather by way of opening a 
conversation than from a desire for information. 

“Yes, Joe and I went down there a spell, an’ then 
came up to Littlefield’s.” 

“ They wanted to hear about the tramps, I 


reckon ? ” 


THE SCHEME. 


233 

“Yes; but we didn’t have the chance to tell ’em 
much, because Mr. Folsom had given that family all 
the news.” 

“ Did he stay a great while over there ? ” 

“Pretty near all the forenoon. I guess he’ll do 
quite a lot of business with Mr. Littlefield.” 

“ What is he sellin’ ? ” 

“A patent mowin’-machine. He’s countin’ on 
lettin’ Mr. Littlefield have the right to sell ’em in 
this county, an’ he says it won’t take a man more’n 
six months to make himself rich.” 

“A patent mowin’-machine ! ” Larry repeated, as 
he leaned on his hoe, and gazed at Ned in blank 
amazement. 

“That’s what it is. Say, I should think you’d 
know all about it if you was acquainted with him 
in the city.” 

“ He wasn’t in that kind of business when I used to 
run across him. Has he got the machines with him ” 

“ No ; but he showed a lot of pictures an’ papers 
that tell all about ’em. It’s a new invention, an’ the 
men that go in with him will make a pile of money, 
the way he figures it out.” 


234 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


“ So that’s the scheme, eh ? ” Larry said, half to 
himself. “Does he count on givin’ the deacon the 
right to sell ’em, too ? ” 

“Well, you see he’s got two things that he’s 
invented. The other is a machine that will stow 
away hay on the mow better’n any four men could 
do it. You only have to set the thing on the barn 
floor, an’ it does all the work after you’ve pitched the 
hay on top of it. Mr. Littlefield acted as if he wanted 
to buy the right to sell that, too ; but Mr. Folsom 
said he was kind’er bound to let the deacon have it.” 

Larry resumed his task of hoeing once more, and, 
from the expression of bewilderment on his face, one 
could well understand that he was trying to grasp 
more fully this scheme of “Mr. Folsom’s.” 

Ned began to speculate as to what the possibilities 
might have been in case the gentleman from the city 
had not arrived so opportunely ; but to these remarks 
Larry gave no heed. 

After a time, however, and while his companion 
was in the midst of a long and startling story of the 
mischief done by tramps on a farm a dozen miles 
distant. Master Hudson asked, abruptly: 


THE SCHEME. 235 

“ Did Jake count that Mr. Littlefield would pay him 
a big lot of money for the right to sell his machines ?’' 

‘‘ It ain’t so awful much when you think of what a 
pile can be made. He said he’d never sold one of 
these chances less’n five thousand dollars, an’ folks 
were jest tumblin’ over themselves to buy at that 
price ; but he was careful who he sold to, for you see 
he expects to make any amount of money when trade 
begins.” 

“Is Mr. Littlefield goin’ to give him sich a pile as 
that > ” 

“I dunno. He allowed that he hadn’t as much, 
an’ Mr. Folsom was real kind of generous, for he 
said that he knew well enough the dollars would 
come rollin’ in by next spring, so he’d take a thou- 
sand in cash, an’ Mr. Littlefield’s notes for the 
balance, which was jest the same as if he went 
partners with him.” 

“An’ he’s goin’ to play the same game on the 
deacon ” Larry said, after a long pause. 

“I reckon he asks more for the hay machine, 
’cause that’ll save the work of five or six men. I 
hope we’ll have one here ! Only think that when 


236 LARI^Y HUDSON^ S AMBITIOAT. 

you want to load a ton of hay for market, all 
you’ll have to do is back up the cart an’ set the 
thing to work. You can loaf ’round till it’s stacked 
on, an’ then there’s nothin’ to be done but haul it 
away.” 

“ Yes, I see,” Larry said, with a peculiar inflec- 
tion of voice, and then he plied the hoe with 
unusual vigour, apparently giving no heed as Ned 
continued to dilate upon the advantages of the ma- 
chines, and the vast amount of money the deacon 
and Mr. Littlefield would be able to earn during the 
winter. 

Now Larry had the outlines of “Mr. Folsom’s” 
scheme. He was not certain whether the enterpris- 
ing gentleman might attempt to dispose of the notes 
which would be given in partial payment if a bargain 
was made ; but he felt certain that Slick Jake did 
not propose to sell anything of value, and the cash 
payments received would represent his first profit in 
the transaction. 

In fact Master Hudson did not vex his brain with 
trying to compute the full extent of the swindle. It 
was enough, so far as he was concerned, that Slick 


THE SCHEME. 


237 


Jake counted on getting two thousand or more dol- 
lars from the farmers, and he was expected to act a 
certain part in the swindle. 

“ I won’t hold my tongue,” he said to himself, after 
some deliberation, and even as the words were formed 
in his mind came the thought that, unless he agreed 
to the proposition made by the swindler, he would be 
obliged to leave the farm with a most serious blot on 
his character. 

Ned insisted that it was dinner-time ; but Larry 
refused to leave his work. 

“ ril get along without anything to eat this noon,” 
he said, when his companion urged him to cease his 
labours. 

His perplexity and distress of mind was so great 
that he had no desire for food, and, in addition to 
this reason, he wished to avoid another meeting with 
Slick Jake. 

Ned exclaimed against his losing dinner, and, 
finally, realising that it would be impossible to 
keep out of ‘‘Mr. Folsom’s” sight during all the 
time which must intervene before the deacon’s re- 
turn, he followed his companion to the house. 


238 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

Aunt Mercy and Nellie were so deeply occupied 
with listening to the entertaining stories of city life 
told by their guest, that but little attention was given 
to Larry, and he found himself very much alone even 
when with the members of the family. 

While they were at the dinner-table ‘‘Mr. Fol- 
som ” said, with a meaning glance at Larry, but 
addressing himself to no one in particular : 

“A lad who has the opportunity to live here at 
Herdsdale is very fortunate indeed, and especially so 
when he is given the chance to earn considerably 
more than his board. I know of hundreds of bright 
boys who would do anything within their power to 
hold such a situation.” 

This was much the same as if Slick Jake had spoken 
directly to Larry, holding up before him that which 
would be lost if he dared expose him in the swindle 
he was about to perpetrate in the neighbourhood. 

Aunt Mercy agreed with her guest, and the latter 
added : 

“ I can fancy how humiliating it would be for a lad, 
if he had found a home here, to be sent away in dis- 
grace. Suppose, for instance, that a bright boy from 


THE SCHEME. 


239 


the city, charmed with a farmer’s life, should get 
work on such a place as this, without telling his 
employer of what he may have done in the past. 
Then picture the situation if some one happened to 
tell all the shameful story. Of course he would be 
driven away at once, and it is not reasonable to 
believe that he could readily get a position with any 
other person.” 

Larry’s face flushed crimson. It seemed as if 
every member of the family must understand that 
the guest was speaking directly to him, and would 
believe that there was a story of shame or crime in 
his past life which he was trying to conceal. 

If he could have been alone with Slick Jake just 
at that moment, it is almost certain he would have 
agreed to anything the swindler might propose, so 
horrible was the thought of being driven away in 
disgrace. He believed that whatsoever story “Mr. 
Folsom ” might tell regarding him would be believed 
by the deacon, for it did not seem probable that 
such a gentlemanly person as the guest appeared to 
be would deliberately tell a falsehood for the purpose 
of injuring a poor boy. 


240 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION 


Larry ate his food hastily, and as soon as he had 
gone through the form of dinner hurried out of the 
house with the excuse that he was eager to finish a 
certain portion of the work before it was time to go 
after the cows. 

A most dismal afternoon he spent, and at night- 
fall he set off alone for the pasture, returning just as 
the family were gathering around the supper-table. 

It was necessary then that he should milk, and by 
the time this had been done ‘‘ Mr. Folsom ” and 
Aunt Mercy were on the porch, while Nellie was 
washing the dishes. 

Larry’s portion of the meal had been left on the 
table for him, and he made haste to satisfy his 
hunger lest Nellie should be delayed in her task. 

Joe, who had been with the guest nearly all day, 
was now eager to pay another visit to the village, 
in order to tell once more the thrilling story of 
his experience with tramps, and when he proposed 
that Larry accompany him, the latter accepted the 
invitation without hesitation. 

On their arrival at the village store the two boys 
were questioned closely regarding the events of the 


THE SCHEME. 


241 


past night, and when this subject had been exhausted, 
the gossips of the place set about discussing the 
coming of Mr. Folsom.” 

It was known that he was the proprietor of an 
extensive manufactory, who had come to Canton in 
order to appoint agents for his wares, and the general 
opinion of all appeared to be that it was within his 
power to do a great amount of good in the vicinity. 

Fm told that if he finds trade enough hereabout 
he’ll bring his factory to this village, an’ with two 
or three hundred men workin’ at high wages, busi- 
ness will begin to hum,” one of the gossips said, with 
an air of wisdom. 

The others were of much the same opinion, and 
before Joe was ready to return home Larry un- 
derstood that it would be very difficult indeed to 
convince these sanguine people that the alleged 
prosperous merchant was neither more nor less than 
a swindler, whose only stock in trade consisted of 
his tongue and his fashionable clothing. 

When the boys finally returned home, Aunt Mercy 
was waiting for them before beginning the evening 
devotions, and immediately after she had finished 


242 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

her prayer, in which the “ stranger ” was particularly 
remembered, Larry went to bed. 

Here, after his roommates had fallen asleep. Mas- 
ter Hudson twisted and turned in bed as he tried in 
vain to make up his mind to do what he believed his 
duty, without regard to the probable disgrace which 
might come to him. It was exceedingly difficult to 
decide that he would tell the truth at the expense 
of losing the only home he had ever known ; but yet 
he realised that it should be done. 

He knew without being told that the swindler was 
reposing on Aunt Mercy’s best feather bed in the 
guest-chamber, and that all the household looked 
upon him as a true, honest gentleman who had 
befriended them in their hour of need. 

The next day passed much as had the preceding 
one, save that Larry contrived to avoid another con- 
fidential interview with Slick Jake, and on the second 
morning after the arrival of the alleged manufacturer 
Deacon Doak came home. 

He had journeyed on the night express, and en- 
tered the house just as Larry was building the 
kitchen fire. 


THE SCHEME. 


243 


Aunt Mercy hastened out from her room to greet 
him, therefore the boy was not called upon, as he 
had feared he might be, for a detailed account of 
what had happened on the farm during its owner’s 
absence. 

One glimpse of the deacon had been sufficient to 
decide the question which had been troubling Larry 
so seriously, and he said stoutly to himself as he 
went toward the cow stables : 

** I’ll tell the whole truth, if they question me, 
an’ then if I’m driven away it can’t be helped. It’s 
bound to be known sooner or later that Slick Jake 
has been playin’ it on ’em, an’ then they’ll be sorry 
for sendin’ me off. But that ain’t likely to do me 
much good,” he added, bitterly. 

Master Hudson came back with the milk just as 
“Mr. Folsom” stepped out on the porch, and at 
that moment the deacon came from the shed with 
an armful of wood. 

“ Hello ! ” he cried, in astonishment, dropping his 
burden suddenly and staring open-mouthed at the 
guest. “ What are you doin’ here ? ” 

“This is the gentleman who saved us from the 


244 


LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 


tramps,” Aunt Mercy cried, coming from the kitchen 
as she heard her husband’s salutation. “ He’s down 
this way sellin’ farmin’ tools — ” 

“Why, mother! That’s the man who stole my 
watch an’ money I ” 

“Don’t, father, don’t say what you’ll be sorry 
for ! ” the good woman cried, in distress. “ This is 
the gentleman I’ve been tellin’ you about. If it 
hadn’t been for him nobody knows what would have 
happened.” 

At this point Slick Jake came forward with out- 
stretched hand, saying as he did so : 

“I see you are mistaking me for some other 
person. Here is my business card, and if you 
choose to take the trouble you will soon under- 
stand that a man in my position can’t possibly be a 
thief.” 

The deacon rubbed his eyes, and Larry, believing 
Slick Jake would soon succeed in persuading the 
farmer that he was an honest merchant, went to 
the pasture with the cows. 

He had hardly more than disappeared in the 
distance before Deacon Doak called loudly for him. 


THE SCHEME. 245 

but, seeing that it was too late to summon him, 
listened to the explanations made by his guest. 

When Master Hudson returned it could readily 
be seen that Slick Jake had convinced his host, 
for the family were at the table, and no one listened 
more intently or with greater apparent interest to 
the conversation of the guest than did the deacon. 

As soon as breakfast was over the three boys 
hurried away to the potato patch, where they worked 
industriously until nearly noon, Joe and Ned trying to 
make up for lost time, and Larry plodding away as 
usual, his mind dwelling upon the possibilities of the 
near future, rather than the task before him. 

Then the deacon suddenly appeared, come, as the 
boys supposed, to make certain they had worked 
as they should during his absence; but instead of 
looking around scrutinisingly as would have been 
natural, he said to Larry : 

“I want to talk with you a bit. We’ll go over 
by the brook, an’ in the meanwhile Joe an’ Ned can 
keep their hoes movin’.” 

Larry looked closely at the deacon, trying to learn 
if Slick Jake had already begun his efforts at driving 


246 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION, 

him away from the farm ; but nothing could be 
learned by the scrutiny. The farmer looked grave, 
as he might well have been if he distrusted the 
gentleman from the city, or in case he proposed to 
discharge his green hand.” 

Deacon Doak came to a halt in the same spot 
where Slick Jake had stood when he made his 
proposition to Larry, and said in a low tone, as if 
he intended to keep the conversation a secret from 
the other boys : 

They tell me that you know this man who drove 
the tramps away } ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“You’d met him in the city, of course.? ” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Now see here, Larry, I want you to come out 
flat-footed with what you know. I was certain the 
man who is here sellin’ farmin’ tools was the same 
fellow who robbed me; but he says it’s all a mis- 
take, an’ comes near provin’ that it is.” 

Larry was very pale, and his lips trembled as he 
replied with as much show of calmness as it was 
possible to call to his aid : 


THE SCHEME. 


247 

** Before I say anything, deacon, I want to tell 
you what Slick Jake threatens, if I don’t stick to 
the story he’s made up — ” 

‘‘ Who did you say ? ” 

“Slick Jake, Mr. Folsom — the duck what stole 
your watch an’ money. He told me to say that 
he kept store on Fulton Street, an’ allowed if I 
didn’t tell it he’d have me driven away from the 
farm.” 

“ How did he count on doin’ that } ” 

“By tellin’ that I’d done somethin’ crooked, or 
any kind of a yam that would make you want to get 
rid of me. Aunt Mercy an’ the others think he’s 
terrible nice, an’ got kind’er huffy when I said he 
wasn’t all right. They’ll believe everything he says, 
an’ it’ll be a case of my leavin’ ; but they’re bound to 
know sometime that he’s a reg’lar beat. I’ll give 
you the story straight, an’ then if he fixes it so’s I’m 
turned out, you come to me quiet like, an’ give 
me a chance to sneak away when the others don’t 
know it.” 


CHAPTER XIII. 


larry’s reward. 

The deacon remained silent and thoughtful when 
Larry ceased speaking, and not until it seemed to 
the boy as if a very long time had passed did he say 
anything. Then it was to ask : 

** Is there any story to your discredit that can be 
truthfully told, my boy ? ” 

** Not a thing ; but it won’t be hard work for 
vSlick Jake to cook up somethin’. I don’t claim 
that I’ve been so terrible good ; but then again I 
haven’t gone crooked in any way.” 

“You think this man is the same fellow who 
stole my watch an’ money in New York?” 

“I know he is, an’ if you want to make sure, 
let me go down to the city an’ get my old pardner. 
Tim knows this duck jest as well as I do, an’ he’ll 
give the story in great shape. Slick Jake counts 
24S 



“‘I don’t claim that I’ve been so terrible good.’” 



LARRY^S REWARD. 249 

on makin’ you believe that he was in Boston on 
the Fourth — ” 

“That’s jest what he told me.” 

“ He offered to give me some of his pile if I’d 
hold my tongue while he worked the town.” 

“Here is what puzzles me,” Deacon Doak said, 
thoughtfully. “Neighbour Littlefield is a cautious 
man, an’ counts on knowin’ what he’s doin’ before 
partin’ with a cent ; but yet he’s paid this man a 
thousand dollars in cash, an’ given his note for three 
thousand more, to buy the rights to sell the patent 
mowin’-machine in this county. How can he make 
sich a mistake ? ” 

“Jake is slick enough to pull the wool over his 
eyes, an’ he counts on doin’ the same with you on 
a hay machine.” 

“ It must be a great thing, if all he tells is true,” 
the deacon said, reflectively, as he mentally figured 
the profit which might be made by the sale of such 
a labour-saving device. 

“If he had so many of these machines as he 
claims, why didn’t he bring two or three around, 
an’ let you see how they worked ^ ” 


250 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION, 


“ He promised to send ’em next week.” 

“ That’ll be after you’ve paid over your money.” 

Look here, Larry, I can’t get it out of my head 
that he’s the same bunco man who got my watch an’ 
money, but he tells a story I ain’t able to dispute. 
Now I’m willin’ to pay him fifteen hundred dollars in 
cash, an’ my note for as much more, if he can give me 
the legal right to sell the machine for pitchin’ hay.” 

‘‘He might give you the right to sell it, even if he 
never saw such a machine. Look here, deacon, I 
don’t want to see you swindled, an’ if you say 
the word. I’ll go after Tim Jones. I’ve got cash 
enough of my own to pay the railroad fares.” 

“ It seems almost too bad to spend so much 
money,” the good man said, musingly. 

“It’s a good deal better’n lettin’ Slick Jake do 
you out of fifteen hundred dollars.” 

“You’re right, Larry, you’re right; but we’ll 
have to make some excuse for sendin’ you away. I 
wouldn’t want Mr. Folsom to think I’d doubted his 
word, if it should turn out that you’d made a mis- 
take, because it would be a big thing to have the 
agency of that machine.” 


LARRY^S REWARD. 


251 


“ I’m sure there ain’t any mistake, for he talked 
the whole thing over with me, an’ I know him bet- 
ter’n I do you. Can’t you think up somethin’ you 
want me to ’tend to that’ll take till night I could 
catch the noon train, an’ be back here by supper- 
time.” 

“I’ll send you into the swamp back of the pasture 
to cut alders, an’ if you don’t happen to go there it 
won’t be my fault.” 

“ All right ; give me the word so’s I can get away 
before dinner.” 

“ I’ll tell mother to put up a lunch for you, an’ 
here’s the money to pay your way,” the deacon 
added as he handed the boy two dollars. 

“I’d rather use my own stuff. You can pay me 
afterwards, if you feel like it,” and Larry refused to 
take the proffered bank-note. 

The deacon carried out his portion of the scheme 
while Larry was in the chamber getting his small 
store of money, and, half an hour before the noon 
train for New York was due. Master Hudson dis- 
appeared in the thicket at the rear of the barns, as 
if on his way to the swamp. 


252 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


No one appeared to think it strange that Larry 
had been sent away just at that time. It was not 
unusual for one or the other of the boys to do such 
work as cutting alders, and the reason for his 
leaving the house before dinner was readily ex- 
plained by the fact that it would have caused 
him to be a full hour later at the scene of his 
labours if he waited until the meal was made 
ready. 

During the afternoon Deacon Doak listened to 
the schemes of the wealthy manufacturer, and more 
than once did he hope Larry would discover that 
he had been mistaken, so promising and alluring 
were the word pictures drawn by Slick Jake. 

The owner of Herdsdale did not appear to be 
exactly satisfied with the story told about the 
tramps’ visit, for he questioned his wife and daughter 
closely until it became apparent that Larry had 
borne the brunt of the affray, and was rather more 
than holding the unwelcome visitors in check when 
“ Mr. Folsom ” arrived. 

“ I think the boy is entitled to about as much 
credit as anybody, an’ if you’d let him have his 


LARRY REWARD. 253 

head, mother, he’d brought the Littlefields here in 
short order,” the deacon said, reflectively. 

In this “Mr. Folsom” agreed heartily, which 
caused Aunt Mercy to set him down in her mind as 
one who was ever ready to detract from his own 
merits in order to give another more credit than 
was absolutely deserved. 

At nightfall Joe and Ned were surprised and 
mystified at being ordered by the deacon to go after 
the cows, when, as they supposed. Master Hudson 
would bring them home with him. 

“Larry’ll fetch ’em down,” Joe said, as if that 
assertion ought to dispose of the matter; but his 
father insisted that he and Ned should attend to 
it, and off they started, trying in vain to make out 
why it was necessary for them to walk so far when 
there appeared to be no real reason for so doing. 

At supper-time Nellie inquired why Larry did 
not come home, and when Aunt Mercy began to 
speculate as to the reason of the boy’s absence the 
alleged manufacturer began to look concerned. 

After the evening meal was finished and the 
chores done up for the night, the family went out 


2 54 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

on the porch, as was the custom during the warm 
weather, and while there “ Mr. Folsom ” did his best 
to conclude the bargain with the deacon, insisting 
that it was necessary he should leave town early 
next morning. 

can sell the right to Littlefield, if you don’t 
want it,” he said, almost sharply, to his host, ‘‘and 
there’s no good reason why I should stay around 
here another day when time is so precious.” 

The deacon raised this point and that, all of which 
were calculated to occupy some time in the discuss- 
ing, and when the sun set the family were still listen- 
ing to “Mr. Folsom’s” stories of the money to be 
earned by the sale of his wonderful machines. 

Then Joe and Ned came in from the stables, and 
five minutes later Deacon Doak saw two boys walk- 
ing through the garden toward the house. 

“ There’s Larry,” he said, “ an’ it looks as if he’d 
picked up a friend.” 

Aunt Mercy, probably thinking there were boys 
enough in the family already, frowned as Master 
Hudson announced the stranger by saying : 

“ This is the feller what was my pardner when I 


LARRY REWARD. 


255 


lived in New York. You invited him to come up 
sometime, an’ here he is.” 

Tim stepped forward jauntily as if to greet the 
deacon, when his glance fell upon the supposed Mr. 
Folsom.” 

‘‘Why, hello, Jake, what ’er you doin’ out here?” 

The manufacturer of machines flushed slightly, 
and then said, sharply : 

“ Who are you, and what do you mean by calling 
me Jake ? ” 

“’Cause that’s your name, same’s mine’s Tim 
Jones. Now don’t try to give me any bluff, old man, 
for it won’t go down.” 

The guest looked angrily at Larry for an instant, 
and then said to the deacon, who was eyeing him 
closely : 

“I suppose this is some trick of that jail-bird’s 
you’ve taken into your family. I didn’t intend to 
say anything about him, hoping he was trying to 
lead an honest life; but this attempt of his to 
excite your suspicions as to my identity is more than 
I can stand calmly. That boy is both a liar and a 
thief 


256 LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 

“ Look here, Jake,” Tim interrupted, ** don’t slip 
your trolley yet awhile or you’ll get into a fuss. 
You’re lyin’ about Larry, for he never did a crooked 
thing in his life, an’ the deacon here ought’er know 
how much he can bank on you, seein’s it ain’t so long 
ago since you pinched his watch an’ money. Deacon, 
don’t you remember that I was one of the fellers 
what made that duffer give up your stuff } ” 

** I do believe* I’ve seen you before,” the deacon 
replied ; but he looked eagerly toward his guest as if 
hoping he might be able to disprove the charges 
made against him. 

“I don’t intend to make very much talk,” ‘‘Mr. 
Folsom ” said, with a poor assumption of dignity. 
“I came up here to give you the chance of your 
life, in a business way, and that young villain to 
whom you’ve given a good home chooses to intimate 
that I’m not as straight as a string. He has found 
one of his friends, told him what to say, and the two 
come here trying to excite suspicions against me. It 
isn’t worth my while to bandy words with such as 
they. I’ll go down to Mr. Littlefield’s, close up the 
trade for the hay tender, and leave town in the mom- 


LARRY^S REWARD. 2 $ 7 

ing. By listening to these little rascals you’ve lost 
an opportunity to make yourself a very rich man.” 

The alleged manufacturer arose as if to carry out 
his declared intentions ; but before he could traverse 
the length of the porch a man came up out of the 
garden, stepping directly in front of him. 

I’ll have to ask you to go back with me, Jake,” 
the newcomer said as he slipped a steel band around 
the swindler’s wrist, ** an’ if you’re as wise as usual 
there won’t be any kick made.” 

What charge have you against me } ” 

“The same old one, though from all accounts I 
wouldn’t be surprised if there were more to come in 
from the town.” Then the officer walked quickly 
away with his prisoner, and Aunt Mercy exclaimed 
as she held up both hands in amazement : 

“ Who’d thought it ! Who’d thought it, an’ he 
such a pleasant spoken man, too ! ” 

“Did you bring the officer with you, Larry.?” 
Deacon Doak asked, quietly. 

“Yes, sir. Tim said the cops were lookin’ for 
Jake, so we told ’em where he was.” 

“ He’s got a deal of power with his tongue, an’ 


25 8 LARRY HUDSON'S AMBITION. 

but for you I allow he’d walked away with fifteen 
hundred dollars of mine, for I’d have paid over that 
much without raisin’ a hair.” 

By this time Aunt Mercy began to understand that 
she had very much for which to thank Larry, and by 
way of beginning to atone for the reproof she had 
administered both by word and look, the good woman 
set about making Tim Jones welcome. 

Larry’s old partner had such a supper that night 
as he had never eaten before, and when he went up- 
stairs two hours later with his friend, he said, confi- 
dentially : 

This is a great snap you’ve got, old man ; but I 
don’t seem to catch on to the prayers. Is it that 
way every night, or is this a little extra ’cause the 
deacon saved his money ? ” 

Larry explained the rules of the household, and 
when he had concluded Master Jones said, em- 
phatically : 

‘‘ It’s a great lay-out, even with that thrown in. If 
I could only strike somethin’ of the kind I’d be way 
up in G.” 

Perhaps it’ll come your way after a spell, Tim.” 


LARRY^S REWARD. 


259 

I don’t have sich luck. Here are you livin’ on the 
fat of the land, sleepin’ in a boss bed, an’ havin’ reg’lar 
folks, while I think I’m playin’ in luck if the day’s 
work brings in enough to pay for a bed an’ my grub.” 

Then Larry confided in Tim his intention to own 
a farm some day, and the latter insisted that he 
be allowed to ‘‘come into the game.” 

“I’ll save every cent I can get hold of, old 
man, an’ we’ll buy a place in partnership.” 

To this Larry agreed heartily, and by that time 
the charms of the “ boss bed ” had such a hold upon 
Master Jones that he fell asleep. 

It was decided next morning that Tim should 
spend a week at Herdsdale, much to his delight, and 
before the visit had come to a close the deacon said 
gravely, one evening when the family and their guest 
were seated on the porch : 

“ I’ve been thinkin’ how near I came to givin’ that 
swindler fifteen hundred hard-earned dollars, an’ I’d 
done it, too, but for Larry. Neighbour Littlefield has 
been down to the city tryin’ to get back the thousand 
he paid the villain ; but there don’t seem to be much 
show of his succeedin’.” 


26 o 


LARRY HUDSON^ S AMBITION. 


“ I don’t know how I would have got along the 
night the tramps were here, if it hadn’t been for 
Larry,” Aunt Mercy added. 

“ I’m payin’ him eight dollars a month, an’ he’s 
earnin’ every cent of it, — I only wish Joe an’ Ned 
would work as hard, — therefore, we can’t figger that 
he’s receivin’ more’n his just due from us. I count 
myself an honest man, an’ as such I’m bound to pay 
my debts ; we owe Larry somethin’ besides his 
wages, an’ seein’s how he counts on buyin’ a farm of 
his own. I’ll start him along by givin’ him that 
five-acre lot out by the swamp ; it’s good land, 
an’ when he gets a little forehanded he can add to it. 
We’ll have the deed made to-morrow mornin’.” 

Tim squeezed his partner’s hand, and Larry tried 
very hard to say something by way of thanks ; but 
the words stuck in his throat. Twice he attempted 
to speak, and then went out behind the cow stable, 
where Tim found him ten minutes later. 

One can’t really tell the whole of a story which 
isn’t ended, and, therefore, it is time to bring this to 
a close, however much one would enjoy describing 


LARRY'S REWARD. 


261 


what Tim Jones saw and did during the week that he 
remained at Herdsdale as Larry’s guest. 

It was only one year ago that Slick Jake visited 
Canton trying to sell imaginary machines, and to-day 
matters at Herdsdale are much the same as when 
Tim’s visit came to an end. 

Larry still owns the five-acre lot near the swamp, 
as a matter of course, and has put in the bank 
ninety-six dollars, his entire year’s wages, with the 
intention of buying more land. To this amount Tim 
Jones has added sixty-four dollars, for he counts 
on being Larry’s partner in the enterprise, and Aunt 
Mercy believes that when the boys get ready to 
begin business the deacon will make another con- 
tribution. 

Next month Tim is to leave the city and live 
at Herdsdale, for Deacon Doak has agreed to pay 
him eight dollars a month if he proves as valuable at 
farming as is Larry, and if the two lads ever succeed 
in owning a reg’lar place ” the public shall be 
informed of it at the earliest possible moment. 


THE END, 





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By G. WALDO BROWNE 
Volume II. 

The Young Gunbearer 

By G. WALDO BROWNE 

Each large i2mo, cloth, fully illustrated, ;^i.oo 

There is the reality of history behind these stories, 
the successful series of ''Woodranger Tales,** the scope 
and trend of which are accurately set forth in the title. 
While full of adventure, the interest in which sometimes 
rises to the pitch of excitement, the stories are not sensa- 
tional, for Mr. Browne writes with dignity, if with live- 
liness. The books will not fail to interest any lively, 
wholesome-minded boy. 

SEND FOR CIRCULARS, ETC. 







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